The Falconets and their head coach Christopher Danjuma are upbeat about their chances in their opening Costa Rica 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup fixture against France tonight.
The Nigerian side battle one of Europe’s top teams from 12.00 midnight tonight in a Group C clash at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose.
Danjuma says he has total faith in his players to deliver tonight and in subsequent games in the tournament.
“The World Cup stage is about players’ mentality; we have prepared the team very well in that area,” he says on the eve of the encounter.
“You have to go out there, aim to be the best and work hard to be the best. It is not a picnic. I believe that these girls will do Nigeria proud.
“Playing seven matches in the African qualifying series toughened the team very well, and we have also worked on their psyche.
“Nigeria has never been also-ran at this level. Having reached the final twice and made the semi finals once, the Falconets have pedigree in this championship. We cannot afford to falter. We will take it one match at a time, beginning with the game against France.”
Danjuma, who also led the team to the last tournament in France four years ago, where they lost 2-1 to Spain in the quarter-finals, is banking on the experience of captain and central defender Oluwatosin Demehin, the midfield trio of Esther Onyenezide, Deborah Abiodun and Adoo Yina, and the forwardline of Flourish Sabastine, Mercy Idoko and Joy Jerry.
First choice Monle Oyono is expected to be in goal against France, with full-backs Omowunmi Oshobukola and Jumoke Alani also favoured to retain the spots they kept in the qualifying campaign, where the Falconets overcame Central African Republic, Congo, Cameroon and Senegal.
Danjuma admits that it will be tough against the French, who reached the final in 2016 and the semi-finals in 2014 and 2018.
“It will not be easy but we have what is known as the special ‘Nigeria spirit’ and we will go in there with confidence and belief in what we can do,” he adds.
“We will play to our strengths – firm at the back and clinical at the fore.”
In the first two matches of the tournament last night/this morning, Colombia stunned three-time champions Germany 1-0, while New Zealand and Mexico played out a 1-1 draw.
