Nigeria’s U20 women’s team, the Falconets, have resumed preparations for their 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying clash against Rwanda, Soccernet.ng reports.
New head coach Moses Aduku, who succeeds Chris Danjuma, has named a 35-player provisional squad for the training camp, as confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation.
The squad, featuring four goalkeepers, 11 defenders, nine midfielders and 11 forwards, will assemble in Abuja on Sunday, 10 August, with full training sessions starting the next day.
The Falconets will travel to Kigali for the first leg of their second-round tie on Sunday, 21 September, before hosting the return fixture at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Saturday, 27 September. Rwanda defeated Zimbabwe to reach this stage of the qualifiers.
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Aduku has retained several key players from the squad that reached the Round of 16 at the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, including captain and defensive leader Oluchi Ohaegbulem, midfield anchor Joy Igbokwe, and attacking duo Mary Lucky Mkpa and Goodness Osigwe.
In Colombia, the Falconets enjoyed a strong group-stage showing, beating Korea Republic 1-0, falling 3-1 to Germany, and sweeping aside Venezuela 4-0, before narrowly exiting with a 2-1 defeat to Japan. That edition was the first time the tournament featured 24 teams.
Nigeria boast a proud record in the competition, having qualified for every edition since its inception. They have twice reached the final — in 2010 and 2014 — losing to Germany on both occasions. In total, the Falconets have played 48 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup matches, winning 22, drawing 10 and losing 16.
Next year’s finals will take place in Poland, with the Falconets aiming to extend their perfect qualification record and challenge for a maiden world title.
FALCONETS: ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS
Goalkeepers: GodsTime Elisha (Ibom Angels); Fatima Okolo (Rivers Angels); Sylvia Echefu (Bayelsa Queens); Stella Emperor (Adamawa Queens)
Defenders: Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Nasarawa Amazons); Tumininu Adeshina (Naija Ratels); Folashade Adegbemile (Edo Queens); Sandra Nwibe (Rivers Angels); Marylen Edem (Nasarawa Amazons); Vivian Ekezie (Abia Angels); Esther Adesoji (Nasarawa Amazons); Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers); Motunrayo Yusuf (FC Robo Queens); Ramotallahi Kareem (Rivers Angels); Chiamaka Ezekuwugo (Bayelsa Queens)
Midfielders: Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels); Kafaya Mafisera (Edo Queens); Joy Igbokwe (Nasarawa Amazons); Yetunde Omotosho (Remo Stars Ladies); Esther Inyang (Edo Queens); Mary Aderemi (Bayelsa Queens); Favour Nkwocha (FC Robo Queens); Faridat Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons); Adanna Nwachukwu (Naija Ratels)
Forwards: Mary Mamudu (Edo Queens); Mary Nkpa (Bayelsa Queens); Goodness Osigwe (Edo Queens); Delight Isaac (Bayelsa Queens); Esther Moses (Edo Queens); Grace Saliu (Naija Ratels); Dorothy Eshiet (Abia Angels); Alaba Olabiyi (Bayelsa Queens); Tessy Ojiyovwi (Nasarawa Amazons); Precious Oscar (Bayelsa Queens); Daniella Fagbenro (Remo Stars Ladies)
