The Falconets departed Nigeria for Costa Rica last night for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after head coach Chris Danjuma selected his final squad of 21 players.
The tournament will be held in Costa Rica from August 10 to August 28, with 16 teams participating.
The Nigerian girls are in Group C along with France, Canada and South Korea.
Danjuma has picked team captain Oluwatosin Demehin and 20 others for the championship, the majority of whom were involved in the qualifying series.
To secure the ticket to Costa Rica, the Falconets had to beat Central African Republic, Congo, Cameroon and Senegal, winning six of seven matches (they only drew with Cameroon in Douala) to qualify as one of Africa’s only two representatives.
The Falconets open their campaign against 2018 hosts France on August 11 in San Jose.
The two-time runners-up will then battle Korea three days later in Alajuela, where they will play Canada in their final group match on August 17.
Africa’s other representatives at the tournament, Ghana, are up against defending champions Japan, The Netherlands and three-time champions United States of America in a tough Group D.
Spain, who were runners-up in 2018, are in Group A with hosts Costa Rica, Australia and Brazil.
Group B contains Germany, who have also won the competition three times, including 2010 and 2014 when they beat Nigeria in the final matches, Colombia, New Zealand and Mexico.
FALCONETS’ FINAL SQUAD FOR FIFA U-20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
Goalkeepers:
Nelly Ekeh, Monle Oyono, Peace Obidinma
Defenders:
Oluwatosin Demehin, Omowunmi Oshobukola, Rofiat Imuran, Jumoke Alani, Chidinma Ogbuchi, Oluchi Ohaegbulem
Midfielders:
Bashirat Amoo, Esther Onyenezide, Adoo Yina, Motunrayo Amoo, Chinyere Kalu, Deborah Abiodun
Forwards:
Blessing Okpe, Joy Jerry, Mercy Idoko, Flourish Sabastine, Chioma Olise, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu
