Falconets head coach Christopher Danjuma has outlined Nigeria’s strategy for success in the upcoming 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, emphasising the importance of minimising errors and maintaining respect for all opponents, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria, who have reached the final twice before, will compete in the tournament to be held in Colombia from August 31 to September 22.
In Group D, Nigeria will face Germany, Venezuela, and the Korea Republic in the first-ever 24-team tournament, an expansion from the previous 16 teams. The matches will be hosted in Bogotá and Cali.
Danjuma shared his confidence in the team as they ramp up their preparations.
“The girls have been working very hard, and I am delighted at the level of improvement I have seen in the squad,” the veteran tactician said.
“There is greater understanding and ambition to accomplish. At an individual level, they continue to grow and show their determination to excel with a focus on the larger picture,” he said.
He stressed the need for readiness from the outset, particularly against the Korean Republic and Germany, which he identified as crucial to advancing to the knockout stages.
“We must be very ready from the first blast of the referee’s whistle in Colombia, as there will not be many minutes to make mistakes and adjust against the Korean Republic and Germany,” Danjuma added.
“Those two games will be key to our progress to the knockout rounds. We also cannot afford to underrate Venezuela – they went through the qualifying rounds. The important thing is that we must bring our ‘A’ game to the party in all three matches.”
Notable players who have previously participated in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup include Salma Paralluelo of Spain, Brazil’s Marta, USA’s Megan Rapinoe, and Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala, a six-time African Player of the Year.
Oshoala was the top scorer when the Falconets reached the final in Canada a decade ago, narrowly losing to Germany.
With the tournament’s expansion to 24 teams, Africa now has four representatives: Nigeria, Morocco, Cameroon, and Ghana. Matches will take place across four venues in three cities: Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali.
The Falconets will depart Nigeria for a two-week final training camp in Colombia ahead of their first match against the Korean Republic in Bogotá on September 1.
Subsequent matches are against Germany at the El Techo Stadium in Bogotá on September 4, and against Venezuela in Cali on September 7.
