THE Falconets arrived in Dakar on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final round, first leg clash with their hosts Senegal.
The Nigerian girls have been in prolific form in the qualifying series so far, having scored 18 goals in five matches.
The two-time global finalists have seen off Central African Republic, Congo and Cameroon on their way to the final round of the qualifiers, beating CAR 11-0 on aggregate before thrashing Congo 4-0 in Brazzaville, leading to the Congolese Football Federation opting not to fly their girls to Nigeria for the return leg.
Cameroon held Nigeria to a 0-0 draw in Douala, but fell 3-0 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja to crash out of the race.
To set up the tie with Nigeria, Senegal edged out Mali 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out, with both teams tied 1-1 at the end of the two-legged fourth round fixture.
Falconets head coach Chris Danjuma took 23 players to Dakar, including goalkeeper Monle Oyono, captain Oluwatosin Demehin, defenders Oshobukola Omowumi, Oluchi Ohaegbulem and Jumoke Alani, midfielders Esther Onyenezide and Adoo Yina, and forwards Mercy Idoko, Joy Jerry and Blessing Okpe.
Saturday’s clash at the Stade Lat-Dior in Thies (outside Dakar) will kick off at 4.30pm Senegal time (5.30pm Nigeria time).
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football has appointed Togo’s Vincentia Amedome as centre referee for the match. She will be assisted by compatriot Abra Agbedanou (assistant referee 1), and Mauritanians Mariem Chedad (assistant referee 2) and Aissata Amadou Lam (fourth official).
Sabine Marie Isabelle Zoungrana from Burkina Faso will serve as the match commissioner.
FALCONETS SQUAD TO SENEGAL
Goalkeepers:
Nelly Ekeh (Sunshine Queens); Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens); Inyene Etim (Abia Angels)
Defenders:
Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels); Omowunmi Oshobukola (Edo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Rivers Angels); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Motunrayo Ezekiel (Naija Ratels); Oluwabunmi Oladeji (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Confluence Queens); Chidinma Ogbuchi (FC Robo Queens)
Midfielders:
Bashirat Amoo (Nasarawa Amazons); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels); Chinyere Kalu (Nasarawa Amazons); Anuoluwapo Salisu (Bayelsa Queens)
Forwards:
Joy Jerry (Bayelsa Queens); Mercy Idoko (Nasarawa Amazons); Flourish Sebastine (Bayelsa Queens); Taiwo Lawal (FC Robo Queens); Blessing Okpe (Rivers Angels); Tessy Ojiyovwi (Nasarawa Amazons)
