Oviri Kelvin, Sports Editor, Abuja
The Falconets of Nigeria have arrived at Dakar, the Capital of Senegal, for the first leg of the two-legged qualifying 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup final round clash with Senegal U20 girls on Saturday, 12 March at Stade Lat-Dior, Thies.
The Nigeria U20 girls have been outstanding on their journey to qualify for the tournament; dismissing the likes of Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo. They were at the mercy of the two-time World Cup runners-up.
The Falconets in five matches played so far, have scored 18 goals with the Central African Republic conceding 11 goals (7 home and 4 away), while Congo girls refused to come to Nigeria to play the second leg after conceding 4-0 in Brazzaville.
It was only the Cameroonian team that showed little resistance after they held the Falconets to a goalless draw in Douala but were ruthlessly dealt with at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium with a 3-0 scoreline against them.
Meanwhile, Senegal, playing against Nigeria in the final qualifying round of the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, saw off Mali U20 girls through penalties after they drew 1-1 in a two-legged fourth-round clash.
The Falconets 23-girl list composed by the head coach Chris Danjuma, includes Captain Oluwatosin Demehin, midfielders Esther Onyenezide and Adoo Yina, defenders Oshobukola Omowumi, Oluchi Ohaegbulem, and Jumoke Alani, forwards Mercy Idoko, Joy Jerry and Blessing Okpe, and goalkeeper Monle Oyono.
Read More: Premier League, others suspend rights to televise English matches in Russia
In its capacity to ensure that the game goes smoothly, the continent football governing body, CAF, has appointed Togolese official Vincentia Amedome, Togolese, Abra Agbedanou, Mauritanians Mariem Chedad, and Aissata Amadou Lam as referee for the match, assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2, and fourth official respectively.
CAF also appointed Burkina Faso’s Sabine Marie Isabelle Zoungrana as the match commissioner.
LIST OF FALCONETS IN DAKAR TO BATTLE SENEGAL
Goalkeepers: Nelly Ekeh (Sunshine Queens); Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens); Inyene Etim (Abia Angels)
Defenders: Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels); Omowunmi Oshobukola (Edo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Rivers Angels); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Motunrayo Ezekiel (Naija Ratels); Oluwabunmi Oladeji (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Confluence Queens); Chidinma Ogbuchi (FC Robo Queens)
Midfielders: Bashirat Amoo (Nasarawa Amazons); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels); Chinyere Kalu (Nasarawa Amazons); Anuoluwapo Salisu (Bayelsa Queens)
Forwards: Joy Jerry (Bayelsa Queens); Mercy Idoko (Nasarawa Amazons); Flourish Sebastine (Bayelsa Queens); Taiwo Lawal (FC Robo Queens); Blessing Okpe (Rivers Angels); Tessy Ojiyovwi (Nasarawa Amazons)
