Falconets test strength against Australia in friendly

Nigeria’s U-20 female football team, Falconets, have fully recovered from their long trip to Colombia, and are now set to confront their counterparts from Australia, in the first of two friendly matches organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure team readiness for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup holding in that country, from August 31 to September 22.

Coach Chris Danjuma, and his crew, which now includes fitness trainer, Chima Michael, have been drilling the girls since Monday, in preparation for the clash with the Aussies, on Friday in particular, and for the World Cup finals generally.
The clash with the girls from Down Under has been scheduled for 10.00 a.m. Colombia time (4.00 p.m. Nigeria time) on Friday, at the Club Banco de la República, in Bogota.

NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon has assured thenff.com that all arrangements have been concluded for the encounter.

Danjuma’s squad from the qualifiers is now boosted by the presence of several players who have seen action with the Nigeria senior team, Super Falcons, including defenders Jumoke Alani, Rofiat Imuran, Comfort Folorunsho and forwards Opeyemi Ajakaye, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu and Flourish Sabastine.

Folorunsho and Ajakaye were in the Nigeria U-17 squad that finished in third place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, in India two years ago.

Other members of that squad that are also with the Falconets in Colombia are goalkeeper Faith Omilana, and forward, Aminat Omowunmi Bello.

While the above-named players constitute the spine of the team, exciting talents like defender Shukurat Oladipo, Chioma Olise, captain Oluchi Ohaegbulam, and forward, Juliet Akekoromowei provide the basis for high expectations.

The Falconets will tackle Mexico in another friendly match at the same venue, on Monday.

Nigeria’s full squad for the U-20 World Cup includes goalkeepers Anderline Mgbechi (Delta Queens); Faith Omilana (Naija Ratels) and Shukura Bakare (Nasarawa Amazons).

The defenders in the team are Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Nasarawa Amazons); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Jumoke Alani (Nasarawa Amazons); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Unattached); and Oluwabunmi Oladeji (Naija Ratels).

The midfielders in Colombia are Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens); Olushola Shobowale (Nasarawa Amazons); Joy Igbokwe (Naija Ratels); Shakirat Oyinlola (La Liga Academy, Spain), while the forwards, include Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Rivers Angels); Mary Nkpa (Heartland Queens); Chiamaka Osigwe (Edo Queens); Janet Akekoromowei (Asisat Oshoala Academy); Flourish Sabastine (Stade de Reims, France); Aminat Bello (Otero College, USA); and Opeyemi Ajakaye (Madrid CFF, Spain).