By Dorcas Francis Koji
Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team, the Falconets, have intensified preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after settling into their training base in Trzebnica, Poland.
The two-time finalists began their final preparations on Wednesday with a training session at the Stadion Miejski, Fair Play Arena, as head coach Moses Aduku and his technical crew continued to work on the team’s tactical and physical readiness.
The Falconets arrived in Poland on Tuesday and quickly returned to training, with the coaching staff focusing on tactical organisation, ball work, fitness, team cohesion and the players’ overall adaptation to the conditions ahead of the tournament.
Nigeria have also scheduled two international friendly matches as part of their preparations. The Falconets will face hosts Poland on Friday, August 28, before taking on South Korea on Tuesday, September 1.
The friendly encounters are expected to provide valuable tests for Aduku’s side, allowing the players to adjust to European conditions, experience different styles of opposition and improve their tactical understanding before the competition begins.
The match against Poland will be played at the Municipal Stadium in Brzeg, with kick-off scheduled for 12 noon local time. The encounter with South Korea will take place at the Remes Resort & Spa Football Stadium and is scheduled for 4pm local time.
However, Nigeria’s preparations have been accompanied by late changes to the squad.
Captain Joy Igbokwe and midfielder Faridat Abdulwahab were unable to travel with the team after encountering visa complications. Their absence prompted the Nigeria Football Federation to draft Vivian Kachi and Alaba Olabiyi into the squad as replacements.
The Falconets could also be without striker Janet Akekoromowei, who is reportedly facing uncertainty over her participation after her club, Benfica, allegedly refused to release her for the tournament.
Despite the setbacks, the team has maintained its focus as it prepares for a challenging group-stage campaign.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia. The Falconets will open their campaign against Spain on September 7, face China PR on September 10 and conclude the group stage against New Caledonia on September 13.
The West Africans secured their place at the tournament after an impressive qualifying campaign. They defeated Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate, overcame Senegal 3-1 and edged Malawi 3-2 across two legs to book their ticket to Poland.
Aduku has expressed confidence in the squad’s preparation and mentality ahead of the tournament.
“The players have been adequately prepared both physically and mentally. We are heading to Poland with a strong winning mentality and the singular ambition of challenging for the trophy,” the coach said before the team departed Nigeria.
The Falconets have twice finished as runners-up at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, in 2010 and 2014, but have yet to lift the trophy.
Nigeria also hold a unique record as the only African nation to have appeared at every edition of the competition since its inception. With another opportunity to make history in Poland, Aduku’s side will be determined to finally turn their long-standing consistency into a first world title.
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