Head coach of Nigeria’s U20 girls’s nationwide crew, the Falconets, Moses Aduku, has promised to handle recognized shortcomings forward of the second leg of their FIFA U20 Girls’s World Cup Poland 2026 qualifier towards Senegal.
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The Falconets edged previous the Teranga Lionesses 1–0 in a keenly contested first-leg encounter, placing Nigeria in a slim however invaluable place forward of the return fixture in Senegal.
Talking after the match, Aduku expressed gratitude for the victory however admitted his aspect missed alternatives to increase their benefit.
“Initially, we thank God as a result of we bought the one aim and we received,” Aduku mentioned. “We piled on the stress and had been on the lookout for a second aim, nevertheless it didn’t come. Nonetheless, 1–0 means we’re a step nearer to qualifying.”
The coach burdened the significance of quick enchancment forward of the decisive reverse fixture.
“As quickly as we go away right here, we are going to return to the drafting board to see the place we have to right issues earlier than the following battle in Senegal. I do know we is not going to disappoint,” he added.
Aduku additionally addressed considerations over the subdued efficiency of one in every of his key attackers, who was carefully marked all through the sport.
“Generally soccer is like that. She is a improbable participant, possibly in the present day was not her day. However in Senegal, you will notice a special participant,” he assured.
On the harm standing of ahead Janet Akekoromowei who Injured through the match, the Falconets’ coach mentioned a clearer replace could be out there after medical evaluation.
“We simply completed the sport, so there isn’t any info but. Once we get again to the resort, we are going to get a correct report,” he defined.
Responding to questions on squad rotation and substitutions, Aduku defended his tactical selections, noting that substitutes are anticipated to make an influence when known as upon.
“That’s what a substitute ought to do—are available and present flashes. We had a sport plan that didn’t work nicely within the first half, however within the second half we created probabilities and scored. We simply didn’t take extra of them,” he mentioned.
The coach dismissed solutions that Nigeria would undertake a defensive strategy within the second leg.
“We’re not going to play defensive. We are going to attempt to rating first whereas tightening our defence. Going defensive can be harmful for us,” Aduku said.
He additionally revealed that a number of gamers might nonetheless come into competition, relying on health reviews, because the crew prepares for the journey to Senegal.
With a slim first-leg benefit secured, the Falconets will now flip their consideration to the return leg in Senegal, the place a spot within the subsequent spherical of the Poland 2026 FIFA U20 Girls’s World Cup qualifiers can be at stake.
