Nigeria’s Falconets head coach, Moses Aduku, says his team is ready to give everything when they face New Caledonia in their final Group F match at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on Sunday.
The crucial encounter will take place at the Stadion Miejski LKS Łódź, with Nigeria needing a convincing victory to keep their hopes of reaching the Round of 16 alive.
The Falconets currently have one point from their opening two matches after a goalless draw with China on Thursday and a defeat to Spain in their first game.
New Caledonia, meanwhile, are bottom of Group F with no points, having suffered heavy defeats to China and Spain.
Despite New Caledonia’s difficult start to the competition, Aduku insists Nigeria will not underestimate their opponents.
“The results in their last two matches notwithstanding, we will not under-rate our opponents.
“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 coach also stressed the importance of scoring goals, as Nigeria must improve their goal difference to strengthen their chances of progressing to the knockout stage.
“We all know the implication of our 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.
” We cannot afford to go back home now.”
Nigeria currently have a -2 goal difference, while Spain and China occupy the top two positions in Group F.
The Falconets therefore need a strong victory against New Caledonia and will be hoping their result is enough to secure one of the available Round of 16 places, regardless of the outcome of the other group fixture between Spain and China.
With their tournament future on the line, Aduku and his players will be looking to deliver a clinical performance and finally turn their chances into goals.
