Nigeria’s Falconets will open their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign on Monday against defending champions Spain in a challenging Group F encounter.
The fixture is scheduled for 5pm local time, 4pm Nigerian time, at Stadion Sosnowiec in Poland.
Head coach Moses Aduku says his players are prepared for the demanding contest and intend to treat the opening game with the importance of a final.
“We are looking forward to the match against Spain with high expectations. We are ready and set to go,” Aduku said. “Spain is a good side, no doubt. However, we will approach the game like a cup final because we want to win.”
Spain lifted the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica after finishing as runners-up in 2018. Nigeria have also twice reached the final, in 2010 and 2014, but lost to Germany on both occasions.
The Falconets made history in 2010 by defeating the United States on penalties in the semi-final to become the first African side to reach the competition’s final.
Four years later, Nigeria returned to the final, with Asisat Oshoala scoring seven goals and claiming both the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe awards.
The Falconets will draw on that tournament experience as they seek to overcome Spain and launch their latest World Cup campaign with a victory.
Three points would provide Nigeria with an early boost in Group F and strengthen their prospects of advancing to the knockout stage.
Following the Spain encounter, the Falconets will take on China on Thursday before completing their group fixtures against New Caledonia on Sunday.
