Ahead of their clash with Burundi on Sunday
By Rasheed Adewuyi
Nigeria’s U-20 girls have intensified their general preparations for Sunday’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round, first leg encounter against the U-20 girls of Burundi, with another training session in Dar es Salaam on Friday afternoon.
Sunday’s match at the Azam Stadium Complex in the Tanzanian capital will kick off at 4 pm Tanzania time (2 pm Nigeria time), with the winner over two legs qualifying as one of Africa’s four flag-bearers at this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia. The final tournament has been scheduled for 30th August to 22nd September.
The Falconets, ever-present at the finals since the competition was launched in Canada in 2002, reached the quarter-finalists at the last edition in Costa Rica and are much-fancied to brush aside the Burundian challenge and pick another World Cup ticket.
Nigeria’s delegation arrived on Wednesday in Dar es Salaam, which is hosting the match, as Burundi does not have an approved stadium for international games. Players immediately shook off the jet lag with a light training session. They also trained on Thursday.
The team is looking forward to Saturday’s official training at the match venue – the same venue where they drew 1-1 with Tanzania’s U20 girls in their last round of the qualifiers before sealing qualification to this stage with a 2-1 defeat of the Tanzanian girls in Abuja in the return leg.
Head Coach Chris Musa Danjuma and his crew traveled with 19 players, led by Captain Oluchi Ohaegbulem, and also including goalkeeper Faith Omilana, defenders Jumoke Alani and Shukurat Oladipo, midfielders Taiwo Afolabi and Chima Olise, and forwards Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Opeyemi Ajakaye, and Janet Akekoromowei.
FALCONETS IN BURUNDI
Goalkeepers: Anderline Mgbechi, Shukura Bakare, Faith Omilana
Defenders: Oluchi Ohaegbulem; Jumoke Alani; Rebecca Adegbemile; Shukurat Oladipo; Oluwabunmi Oladeji
Midfielders: Adoo Yina, Taiwo Afolabi, Olushola Shobowale, Aminat Folorunsho, Chioma Olise.
Forwards: Opeyemi Ajakaye; Chiamaka Okwuchukwu; Chisom Chima; Janet Akekoromowei; Chiamaka Osuigwe; Oluwayemisi Samuel.
