Nigeria’s Falconets need goals against New Caledonia to reach U-20 World Cup last 16

Nigeria head coach Moses Aduku says the Falconets are ready to give everything when they face New Caledonia in their final Group F match at Stadion Miejski ?KS ?odz on Sunday.

The Falconets must produce a convincing victory to overturn their two-goal deficit and improve their goal difference, regardless of the result between Spain and China in the group’s other fixture.

Nigeria earned their first point of the competition on Thursday after drawing 0-0 with China. That result leaves them needing a significant improvement in front of goal if they are to progress to the next round.

New Caledonia are bottom of the group after losing both of their opening matches heavily. The tournament debutants were beaten 5-0 by China before suffering an 11-0 defeat by Spain.

They have no points and a goal difference of -16, but Aduku says Nigeria will not take their opponents lightly.

“Despite the results in their last two matches, we will not underrate our opponents,” Aduku told thenff.com.

“I am happy because the girls are in good spirits and ready to go, and there are no injuries in our camp as I speak.”

The Nigeria coach acknowledged the importance of converting their chances, with the Falconets aware that another failure to score could end their hopes of reaching the last 16.

“We all know the implications of not scoring goals on Sunday, so we will go in there and focus on scoring goals to stand a chance of reaching the next round,” she said.

“We cannot afford to go back home now.”

Aduku’s side will therefore approach the match knowing that victory alone may not be enough unless it is achieved by the margin required to improve their goal difference. Their fate will also be affected by the outcome of Spain’s meeting with China, although the coach’s immediate focus is on securing the goals Nigeria need against New Caledonia.