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Head Coach Moses Aduku has expressed confidence that Nigeria’s U20 girls, the Falconets, will rise above the absence of leading striker Janet Akekoromowei and secure qualification against Senegal in Saturday’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup third-round, second-leg clash.
Akekoromowei suffered an injury in the first half of last weekend’s first leg in Abeokuta and was subsequently withdrawn. The forward has been ruled out of the squad that departed for Dakar on Wednesday morning.
According to NFF media, Coach Aduku remains optimistic about his team’s chances.
“We will overcome because we have reviewed the match and taken a lot of lessons on board,” Aduku said. “I commend the girls for regrouping after a tough first half, adjusting tactics and showing character in the second half. We could have won by more goals because we created a number of opportunities in that second period.
“In Senegal, we must defend resolutely and attack with purpose. We will play with focus and determination.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Moroccan officials to oversee the decisive encounter scheduled for Stade Lat Dior in Thies, Senegal’s third-largest city, located about 70 kilometres from Dakar.
Zakia El Grini will serve as referee, assisted by Karima Khadiri and Ihsane Ennouajeli Nouajli, with Zoulaikha Harmasse named as fourth official. Mauritania’s Oumou Souleymane Kane will act as match commissioner, while Kenya’s Alice Kimani has been designated referee assessor.
The match is set to kick off at 5pm Senegal time (6pm Nigeria time), with the aggregate winner advancing to the final round of the African qualifiers for the tournament, which will be held in Poland in September.
