Two-time finalists Nigeria commence their final camp in Bogota, the Colombian capital, starting Sunday, as they prepare for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals, set to begin in Colombia on August 31.
The Falconets, who have been ever-present at the tournament, reached the semi-finals in Japan 12 years ago and have advanced to the quarter-finals in 2006, 2018, and 2022. They secured one of Africa’s spots in this year’s tournament with aggregate victories over Tanzania and Burundi.
Led by coach Christopher Musa Danjuma, the team spent four weeks in the first phase of their final preparations in Abuja, where they won a series of friendly matches, losing only once.
On Friday, Sports Minister John Owan Enoh met with the squad, urging them to aim for the ultimate prize, having previously won silver medals and reached the semi-finals.
The Falconets have been consistent participants in the tournament since its inception as an U-19 Championship in Canada in 2002, with appearances in Thailand 2004, Russia 2006, Chile 2008, Germany 2010, Japan 2012, Canada 2014, Papua New Guinea 2016, France 2018, and Costa Rica 2022. The global coronavirus pandemic prevented any tournament in 2020.
In the group stage of this year’s tournament, the Falconets are set to face Korea Republic, Germany, and Venezuela. They know they must be ready to fight from the first whistle in Bogota to advance to the Round of 16, as the competition has expanded to include 24 teams for the first time.
With the field now enlarged to 24 teams, Africa is represented by four nations: Nigeria, Morocco, Cameroon, and Ghana.
Nigeria’s opening match of the tournament against Korea Republic will take place on September 1 at the 10,000-capacity Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota. Three days later, they will face Germany at the same venue. The Falconets will conclude their group stage campaign against Venezuela at the Estadio Pascual Guerrero in Cali on September 7.
