Aduku Targets Winning Start as Falconets Face Spain in U20 World Cup
Nigeria’s Falconets will begin their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup campaign against one of the tournament’s strongest sides on Monday, with head coach Moses Aduku demanding maximum commitment from his players against Spain, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The two-time finalists will take on the European champions at Stadion Sosnowiec from 5pm Nigerian time, with Aduku making it clear that Nigeria’s target is to start the competition with all three points.
“We are looking forward to the match against Spain with high expectations. We are ready and set to go. Spain is a good side, no doubt,” Aduku said.
“Let us not forget they are champions of the world at men’s senior level. However, we will approach the game like a Cup final because we want to win. The three points will put us in good stead in our group phase campaign.”
Spain have emerged as one of the leading forces in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in recent years, reaching the final in France in 2018 before losing 3-1 to Japan.
Patricia Guijarro was one of the standout performers of that tournament, winning both the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe despite Spain’s defeat.
Two years later in Costa Rica, Spain went all the way, defeating Japan to claim their first FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup title.
Nigeria also boasts a proud history at the competition.
The Falconets reached their first final in 2010 after defeating the United States on penalties in a dramatic semi-final in Augsburg. They eventually lost 2-0 to hosts Germany in Bielefeld, but became the first African team to reach the final of the tournament.
Nigeria returned to the final four years later in Canada, where Asisat Oshoala produced a remarkable individual campaign.
Oshoala scored seven goals and claimed both the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe, although the Falconets suffered another final defeat to Germany after extra time in Montreal.
Aduku will now expect his players to combine discipline, intensity and attacking ambition against Spain, knowing that a victory would provide Nigeria with a major boost in the race to progress from Group F.
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