PHOTO CREDIT: PunchNG / FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup
New Caledonia Coach Targets First Goal Against Falconets at U-20 Women’s World Cup
New Caledonia head coach, Leon Waitronyie, has set his sights on scoring his team’s first goal at the ongoing 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup when his side face Nigeria’s Falconets in their final Group F fixture in Lodz on Sunday.

The Cagous are bottom of Group F after heavy defeats in their opening two games – a 5-0 loss to China PR followed by an 11-0 thrashing by Spain. Despite the results, they still have a slim mathematical chance of qualifying as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Waitronyie said his team will adopt a more attacking approach.

“We need to play a little higher up the pitch and try to score a goal,” he said.

The task will not be easy against Nigeria, who are favourites for the tie and desperate for a win. The Falconets were held to a 0-0 draw by China on Thursday after opening their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Spain.

With one point from two matches and a -2 goal difference, Nigeria sit third in Group F. Spain lead the group with 6 points and +13 goal difference, followed by China with 4 points and +5. New Caledonia are last with 0 points and -16 goal difference.

A victory for Nigeria would take them to 4 points and boost their chances of reaching the Round of 16 – either as second-place finishers if Spain beat China, or as one of the best third-placed teams across the six groups.
SOURCE: Punch Newspapers