Photo Credit: Photo: FIFA / PUNCH Newspapers
Falconets Target Bounce-Back Win Against China at U-20 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, will be looking to get their campaign back on track when they take on China in their second Group F match at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland today, Thursday.

The Falconets, who lost 2-0 to Spain in their opening game at the Stadion Sosnowiec, return to the same venue knowing they cannot afford another slip if they want to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.

China, on the other hand, head into the game full of confidence after thrashing New Caledonia 5-0 in their first match – a result that took them to the top of Group F, ahead of defending champions Spain on goal difference.

Nigeria and China have history at this tournament. When they met in Russia in 2006, China beat the Falconets 3-0 in the group stage. But in their last meeting in France in 2018, a late own-goal from a Chinese defender gifted Nigeria a 1-1 draw that sent the Falconets into the quarter-finals.

Falconets head coach, Moses Aduku, says his side has moved on from the Spain defeat and is fully focused on China.

“We have put the match against Spain behind us and are focusing totally on the clash with China. The players are ready to come out stronger,” Aduku said.

A win today would boost Nigeria’s chances of progressing, as the two-time finalists (2010 and 2014) chase a first-ever U-20 Women’s World Cup title.

The Falconets, alongside Brazil and the United States, are one of only three teams to have featured in every edition of the tournament, a record made possible after Germany failed to qualify for this year’s edition.
Source: PunchNG.com