The Falconets will go all out against the Canadians at the last Group C match in the ongoing FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup to maintain their winning streak despite qualifying for the quarter-finals.
The Nigeria U20 women’s football team are not ready to drop down their guards as they look to sustain the mentality that will galvanise them to be battle-ready for tougher teams.
In a statement by the head coach Chris Danjuma, the Falconets will not concede to slack but will maintain the zest that has earned them two consecutive victories to head Group C and also qualify for the round of eight.
Danjuma, who stressed that it will be a mistake to do otherwise, claimed that Falconets have proved to be a formidable side for any opponent.
“We would like to make it three wins out of three to maintain a great mental state –the winning mentality. If we are used to winning, it would be difficult for any team to bring us down,” he said.
“It would be a mistake to reduce our pace and zest simply because we have qualified for the quarter-finals.
“The best way to do it, always, is to consider each match as a task that must be accomplished and not slow down.
“We will still meet tougher teams ahead and the winning mentality is what will sustain us,”)” Danjuma insisted.
The Falconets are scheduled to play Canada at the Estadio Alajuela Morera Soto, in the early hours of Thursday (3 am Nigeria time). The kick-off in Alajuela would be 8 pm Costa Rica time on Wednesday.
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Canada, who hosted the tournament eight years ago when Nigeria reached the Final for the second time (losing by the odd goal to Germany), are riding an impossibility wave after losing their first two games to Korea Republic and France, with a disadvantage of four goals.
With Nigeria already qualified, the battle for the second spot from Group C is a crunch one between the Korea Republic and France, who play simultaneously (3 am Nigeria time) at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose. Both teams have three points each.
For Canada to sneak through, they would have to achieve a high-score win against Nigeria and hope that either France or Korea Republic mutilate the other in the capital city.
Musa is certain to start with the girls who brought down the stubborn Koreans on Sunday night. Goalkeeper Omini Oyono showed improved composure and ball handling, and the steel and awareness of captain Oluwatosin Demehin, Omowumi Oshobukola, Jumoke Alani and Rofiat Imuran is sustaining the two-time runners-up quite well at the back.
Midfielder Esther Onyenezide, the scorer of the scorcher that downed the Koreans, and forward Flourish Sabastine who netted the three-point winner against France, are also expected to be in the flow alongside Chioma Olise, Bashirat Amoo, Joy Jerry and the tireless Mercy Idoko.
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