Falconets head coach Moses Aduku has insisted that Nigeria’s qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is only the beginning, warning that the team still has major areas to improve before the tournament in Poland this August.
Speaking after securing qualification, Aduku admitted that the recent clashes against Malawi women’s national football team exposed several weaknesses within the squad.
“We still have plenty of work to do,” he said.
According to the coach, the Falconets are not traveling to the World Cup merely to participate.
“We are not going there to make up the numbers,” he implied.
Aduku stressed that the technical crew will now begin detailed assessments of the squad in order to strengthen weak areas before the tournament begins.
“We must improve quickly,” he noted.
The coach acknowledged that while qualification was important, bigger challenges await at global level.
“The World Cup is a different stage,” he added.
For Aduku, the matches against Malawi provided valuable lessons that can help shape the team positively moving forward.
“We learned important things,” he stressed.
He also expressed confidence that the players are capable of improving significantly with proper preparation and guidance.
“The team can get better,” he said.
Nigeria remains one of Africa’s strongest teams at youth level, but expectations will once again be high at the World Cup.
For Aduku, the message is clear.
Qualification is not enough.
Improvement must continue.
And the Falconets must aim higher.
Because success on the world stage requires constant growth and preparation.
