Nigeria's U20 women's football team, the Falconets, are set to embark on a crucial two-week final training camp in Bogota, Colombia, starting this Sunday. This preparation is essential as the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup is scheduled to commence on August 31.
The Falconets have a storied history in the tournament, having reached the finals twice. Their remarkable performances include advancing to the semi-finals in Japan 12 years ago and securing quarter-final spots in 2006, 2018, and 2022. They earned their place in this year's World Cup by overcoming Tanzania and Burundi in the qualifiers.
Under the guidance of Coach Christopher Musa Danjuma, the team has already completed a rigorous four-week training camp in Abuja, which included a series of friendly matches where they suffered only one defeat. Danjuma expressed gratitude for the upcoming training camp in Colombia, emphasizing its importance for acclimatization and familiarity with the environment. He assured that the team would maximize this opportunity to be fully prepared for the World Cup.
Sports Minister John Owan Enoh recently addressed the squad, encouraging them to aim for the championship. He praised the team's predecessors for their achievements and expressed confidence that the current squad could build on that legacy. Enoh commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for organizing the final camp and assured the team of the nation's support.
The Falconets have been a consistent presence in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since its inception in 2002. They have participated in every edition, with notable appearances in Thailand (2004), Russia (2006), Chile (2008), Germany (2010), and Costa Rica (2022). The 2020 edition was canceled due to the global pandemic.
For this year's tournament, Nigeria has been drawn into Group D alongside Korea Republic, Germany, and Venezuela. Their opening match will be against Korea Republic on September 1 at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota. They will then face Germany on September 4 and conclude the group stage against Venezuela on September 7 at the Estadio Pascual Guerrero in Cali.
The tournament has expanded to include 24 teams this year, with Africa represented by Nigeria, Morocco, Cameroon, and Ghana. Matches will be hosted across four venues in three cities—Bogotá, MedellÃn, and Cali. The Falconets are eager to make a strong impression and advance to the knockout stages, reflecting their determination and preparation.
The team's flight to Colombia is scheduled for 9 PM tonight, marking the beginning of their final phase of preparation before the tournament kicks off.
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