Falconets to begin FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup preparations with camp in Colombia

Nigeria’s Falconets are set to kick off their preparations for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals with a two-week training camp in Bogota, Colombia.

The camp, starting on Sunday, aims to acclimatize the players and familiarize them with their surroundings ahead of the tournament, which begins at the end of this month.

Group of Death

The Falconets, two-time finalists, have been placed in a challenging group alongside Germany, Korea Republic, and Venezuela.

Their first match will be against Korea Republic on September 1 at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota. They will then face Germany at the same venue three days later, and their final group stage match will be against Venezuela on September 7 at the Estadio Pascual Guerrero in Cali.

Past Performance and Current Form

The Falconets secured their place in the World Cup after defeating Tanzania and Burundi on aggregate scores. Under the guidance of Coach Christopher Musa Danjuma, the team had a successful training stint in Abuja, winning several friendly matches.

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Coach Danjuma expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for arranging the Colombian camp, emphasizing its importance for the team’s preparation.

Encouragement from the Sports Minister

Before their departure, the Falconets met with Sports Minister John Owan Enoh, who urged them to aim for the grand prize, reflecting on their past successes, including silver medals and semifinal appearances.

Historical Context

Since their first appearance in 2002, when the tournament was known as the U19 Championship, the Falconets have consistently competed in subsequent editions. This year’s tournament will feature 24 teams for the first time, with Africa represented by four teams: Nigeria, Morocco, Cameroon, and Ghana. Matches will be held across three cities—Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali—at four venues.

Upcoming Matches

1. September 1: Nigeria vs. Korea Republic at Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, Bogota
2. September 4: Nigeria vs. Germany at Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, Bogota
3. September 7: Nigeria vs. Venezuela at Estadio Pascual Guerrero, Cali

The Falconets are determined to make a strong impression and advance beyond the group stage, leveraging their past experiences and rigorous preparations.