Nigeria’s U20 women’s team, the Falconets, have kicked off preparations for their World Cup qualifying duel against Rwanda, assembling a 35-player provisional roster—www.isagoal.com reports.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the squad, chosen by new coach Moses Aduku, who took over from Chris Danjuma. The team will gather in Abuja on August 10 for intensive training sessions starting the next day.
The squad includes four goalkeepers, 11 defenders, nine midfielders, and 11 forwards, featuring several veterans from the squad that made it to the Round of 16 in Colombia last year.
Key players like captain Oluchi Ohaegbulem and midfield mainstay Joy Igbokwe return, alongside attackers Mary Lucky Mkpa and Goodness Osigwe.
The Falconets face Rwanda in Kigali on September 21, before hosting the return leg at Ibadan’s Lekan Salami Stadium on September 27.
Nigeria’s youth team carries a proud legacy in the U20 World Cup, qualifying for every edition and twice finishing runners-up.
Aduku said, “We’re focused and ready to build on past success and fight hard to qualify.”
35 FALCONETS INVITED PLAYERS
Goalkeepers: GodsTime Elisha (Ibom Angels); Fatima Okolo (Rivers Angels); Sylvia Echefu (Bayelsa Queens); Stella Emperor (Adamawa Queens)
Defenders: Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Nasarawa Amazons); Tumininu Adeshina (Naija Ratels); Folashade Adegbemile (Edo Queens); Sandra Nwibe (Rivers Angels); Marylen Edem (Nasarawa Amazons); Vivian Ekezie (Abia Angels); Esther Adesoji (Nasarawa Amazons); Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers); Motunrayo Yusuf (FC Robo Queens); Ramotallahi Kareem (Rivers Angels); Chiamaka Ezekuwugo (Bayelsa Queens)
Midfielders: Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels); Kafaya Mafisera (Edo Queens); Joy Igbokwe (Nasarawa Amazons); Yetunde Omotosho (Remo Stars Ladies); Esther Inyang (Edo Queens); Mary Aderemi (Bayelsa Queens); Favour Nkwocha (FC Robo Queens); Faridat Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons); Adanna Nwachukwu (Naija Ratels)
Forwards: Mary Mamudu (Edo Queens); Mary Nkpa (Bayelsa Queens); Goodness Osigwe (Edo Queens); Delight Isaac (Bayelsa Queens); Esther Moses (Edo Queens); Grace Saliu (Naija Ratels); Dorothy Eshiet (Abia Angels); Alaba Olabiyi (Bayelsa Queens); Tessy Ojiyovwi (Nasarawa Amazons); Precious Oscar (Bayelsa Queens); Daniella Fagbenro (Remo Stars Ladies)
This article was updated 42 minutes ago