A fresh chapter is underway for the Nigeria U-20 women's team as head coach Moses Aduku has summoned a squad of 35 players to commence preparations for next month’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup second-round qualifier against Rwanda. The group, comprising four goalkeepers, 11 defenders, nine midfielders and 11 forwards, will gather in Abuja on Sunday, 10 August, with training sessions kicking off the following day.

The first leg is scheduled for Sunday, 21 September, in Kigali, while the return fixture will take place at Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Saturday, 27 September.

Among those invited are stalwarts from last year’s U-20 World Cup campaign including captain and defender Oluchi Ohaegbulem, midfielder Joy Igbokwe, and forwards Mary Lucky Mkpa and Goodness Osigwe highlighting a blend of experience and emerging talent in the Falconets’ roster.

Editorial

We recognise the significance of Moses Aduku’s first major selection of this camp. It’s a deliberate move to instil a winning culture early on a mixture of players grounded in international experience and fresh faces fosters both continuity and renewal.

We feel the timing of the camp with ample lead-in time before the qualifier is a strategic masterstroke. It allows not just for fitness building and tactical drills, but also the forging of team chemistry a vital yet often underplayed ingredient in knockout football.

We sense that including key contributors from the previous U-20 World Cup sends a message leadership and tenacity from that squad are being trusted to guide the newcomers. That blend can be transformative, setting a tone for what this Falconets side represents.

We remain convinced that with this foundation solid selections, purposeful scheduling and clear expectations—the path to the World Cup finals in Poland is well within reach. That conviction drives our optimism from day one and remains our anchor now.

Did You Know?

1. The Falconets reached the Round of 16 at their first-ever expanded (24-team) U-20 Women's World Cup in 2024 Nigeria’s best performance at that level.
   


2. Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan has previously hosted major CAF qualifiers and is renowned for its electrifying atmosphere during women's matches.
   


3. The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup finals will be hosted in Poland, marking the tournament's return to Europe.
   


4. Moses Aduku was appointed head coach earlier in 2025, signalling a new era for the Falconets’ technical leadership.
   


5. Several of the invited players represent leading clubs in the NWFL Premiership, underscoring the depth of talent within Nigeria’s domestic women’s league.