Head Coach of the U-20 Women National Team, Peter Dedevbo, insisted on Wednesday that his Falconets will not under–rate their counterparts from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Saturday’s 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier in Abuja.
The Falconets, who have played at every edition of the FIFA tournament since it was launched in Canada in 2002, won the first leg played in Kinshasa 2-1 and looks destined for the final round of the African series.
The Nigeria U-20 team are also the reigning world vice champions.
Yet, Dedevbo will not allow his girls to think the fixture is over and that all they need do to reach the final round (where either of South Africa and Zambia awaits) is turn up at the National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday.
“I have a philosophy, which is to respect every team and not to fear any, and also that it is never over until it is over. We have won the first leg 2-1; there is still a second leg to play to determine the winner on aggregate.
Peter Dedevbo, Coach Nigeria Womens Under 20 team. photo credit FIFA
“We have 90 precious minutes to go in this fixture. There will be no heaving of any sigh of relief until after the final whistle on Saturday. We will approach the match as if we lost the first leg.”
Early goals by Chinaza Uchendu and Chinwendu Ihezuo gave the Falconets a 2-1 win in Kinshasa, and the Congolese believe there is still much to play for at the National Stadium on Saturday.
The DR Congo delegation will fly into Abuja aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight on Thursday afternoon and will be accommodated at the Chida Hotel.
The U-20 Women national Team, Falconets, will fly out of Abuja on Thursday for the first leg of a 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Coach Peter Dedevbo has selected 18 players to fly Nigeria’s flag in Sunday’s match at the Tata Raphael Stadium in Kinshasa. The team will travel aboard an Ethiopia Airline flight.
Chinaza Uchendu, who scored for the Super Falcons at the recently –concluded women’s football tournament of the 11th All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, headlines a list that also includes goalkeeper Sandra Chiichii, defenders Olubunmi Elijah and Ugochi Emenayo, midfielders Joy Bokiri and Tessy Biahwo and forwards Chinwendu Ihezuo, Uchenna Kanu and Yetunde Adeboyejo.
In their second round qualifying fixture, the Falconets, runner-up at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada, whipped their Liberian counterparts 14-1 on aggregate, winning 7-0 in Monrovia and 7-1 in Abuja.
The Nigeria delegation will be led by Member of the NFF Executive Committee and Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League, Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedinma.
The Nigerian Men’s national football team were initially nicknamed the Red Devils until Veteran Journalist and Sports administrator Peter Osugo made a case for the name of the team to be changed to the Green Eagles in the early sixties.
A quick look at Nigeria’s “coat of arms” and flag would reveal were the inspiration for the naming of the Mens football team and some other sports teams derived their names from.
The Green in the team’s name was taken from the Nigerian National Flag
While the Eagle in their name was taken from the “coat of arms”. a couple of other Nigerians teams have taken this same route. The Nigerian Rugby national team are called the “Black Stallions”.
The “Green Eagles” eventually became known as the “Super Eagles” after another successful outing by the team.
The advent of Age grade competitions and Women’s football meant that national teams were created and they also had to be named like the existing teams. In Nigeria the Under 20 men’s team was nicknamed the “Flying Eagles” (all eagles fly though). Then came the Eaglets in 1985 who were renamed the “Golden Eaglets” after their inaugural campaign in China saw them winning gold at the FIFA U16 World Championship.
The Nigerian Women Senior national team are known as the Falcons, while their Under 20 counterparts are known as the Falconets, the Under 17 Women’s team are called the Flamingos.
But the main focus of this writer is the Nigerian national under 23 men’s team popularly addressed as the “Dreamteam” the current crop of the young nigerian footballers are now being called “Dreamtean 6” and this is nothing but laughable.
The Nigerian Under 23 team was first called the “Dreamteam” during the build up to the Atlanta 96 Olympic games were an all-star squad was assembled to represent Nigeria at the football event of the Olympic games.
The Original Dream Team
The Dreamteam, photo credit uproot.com
The moniker “Dreamteam” was “borrowed” from the AllStar basketball team that represented the USA at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, and this was truly a “Dreamteam” both on and off the court.
A team that had Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns, Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers, Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz, Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls, just to name a few, No one could ever argue with the fact that this was truly a “Dreamteam” by all standards.
The Nigerian “Dreamteam”
This team had a blend of Nigeria’s Super Eagles and some extremely talented footballers all assembled together from different teams at home and abroad.
Joseph Dosu (Julius Berger fc) and Emmanuel Babayaro of Plateau United coincidental were the only “homebased” players in the team, all the other outfield players were based in various parts of the world, Sunday Oliseh played for Fc Köln in Germany, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha played for Eintracht Frankfurt also Germany the team Everton of England Striker Daniel Amokachi, Kanu Nwankwo was with Ajax Amsterdam. Emmanuel Amuneke was then with Sporting CP in Portugal. The “Dreamteam” also had Victor Ikpeba of AS Monaco in France.
The Real Nigerian Dreamteam, Atlanta 96 Olympic Games
The Presence of the Above listed players and others not listed earned the team the Moniker “Dreamteam” we have decided to had the full team list below for emphasis:
1 GK Emmanuel Babayaro Plateau United
2 DF Celestine Babayaro Anderlecht
3 DF Taribo West Auxerre
4 FW Nwankwo Kanu Ajax
5 DF Uche Okechukwu Fenerbahçe
6 MF Emmanuel Amuneke Sporting CP
7 MF Tijani Babangida Roda
8 MF Wilson Oruma Lens
9 MF Teslim Fatusi Ferencváros
10 MF Jay-Jay Okocha Eintracht Frankfurt
11 FW Victor Ikpeba AS Monaco
12 DF Abiodun Obafemi Toulouse
13 FW Garba Lawal Espérance
14 FW Daniel Amokachi Everton
15 MF Sunday Oliseh Köln
16 DF Kingsley Obiekwu Go Ahead Eagles
17 DF Mobi Oparaku Anderlecht
18 GK Dosu Joseph Julius Berger
This team indeed lived up to all the hype surrounding it and went on to win the elusive football gold medal for Nigeria at the Atlanta Olympic games in 1996, claiming the scalps of major football powerhouses Argentina and Brazil.
This writer believes that without a doubt this was the true “Dreamteam” and the team’s achievements justified this, But truly this is where the Football federation should have created a proper identity for this team, but eighteen years down the line Football commentators, analyst, and even the fans are stuck with the dilemma of renaming the Nigeria U23 team “Dreamteam 6” (which means that there’s been six different “Dreamteams”).
Its time for the NFF to name the Nigerian Under 23 properly, enough of this Dreamteam business, Most of the players in the current Under23 team and even the teams that came after the Atlanta 96 team have been made up of virtually unknown players so what makes it a “Dreamteam” ?
Are we going to continue adding numbers to the so called “Dreamteam” every time a new team is put together?
DreamTeam? No, Its Time For The NFF To Rename This Team
It was an interesting 2014 in the world off football and for us at the Newfanzone we’ve come up with a review of some of the events that shaped our year, You can also send in your reviews, comments and sports stories to fanzone.fans@gmail.com or tweet @newfanzone or @El_pauleta on twitter.
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Nigeria:
The year 2014 was bitter sweet for Nigerian football. Here are the major high and low points in the Nigerian football scene in 2014;
* In Feburary 2014, The home base Eagles came third in the Africa Nations Championship(CHAN) in South Africa.
* In May 2014, Nigeria’s U-15 football team were crowned African champions after defeating Swaziland at the African Youth Games’ final match in Botswana
* In June 2014, The Super Eagles broke the 16 years jinx of not winning a game at the World Cup by defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0. The Super Eagles were later knocked out in the round of 16 by former world champions France.
* In August 2014, Nigeria’s U-20 female team (Falconets) won Silver at the U-20 female World Cup in Canada after they were defeated in Extra time by Germany in the final. Nigeria’s Striker Asisat Oshoala won the Golden ball award as the best player of the competition and also won the Golden boot having scored seven goals and providing 2 assists
Former NFF Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Maigari
* After so much power play in the football house which saw Aminu Maigairi and Chris Giwa been President of the NFF in the same year; In September 2014, Amaju Pinnick emerged the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following his victory in an election held in Warri.
*In October 2014, The Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the African Women Championship final to win the competition for the 7th time.
Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match, Nigeria vs Zambia, Super Falcons Ngozi Ebere, Receiving her award
* In November 2014, The Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals holding in Equatorial Guinea next month, no thanks to inconsistent performances in the qualifiers.
* Kano Pillars won the Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL) for the third straight season ahead of Enyimba of Aba. Mfon Udoh of Enyimba scored 23 goals to become Nigeria’s top flight league all-time record scorer.
Enyimba Fc Celebrate Federations Cup 2014 victory
* Enyimba defeated Dolphins of Port-Harcourt in the Federation cup final in Lagos to retain the cup they won in 2013.
*In December 2014, The Nigeria Sand Eagles failed to defend their Copa Lagos title after losing out to Ivory Coast.
* In what summarises the Super Eagles performance in the FIFA Ranking, the African champions are ending 2014 as 43 in the world and ninth in Africa.
Stationery Stores Fc
* After a 16 year absence from the Nigerian football Scene Stationery Stores Fc made a return to the second tier of the Nigerian League but the club was eventually relegated, but the one of the highest in Nigeria’s football scene in 2014 was the sold out South west Derby between Stationery Stores Fc and Shooting Stars of Ibadan, The game ended 2-0 in favour of the Lagos team.
World Football Scene:
* In January 2014, Manchester United completed the signing of Juan Mata from Chelsea for a then British transfer record fee of £37.1 million.
*In March 2014, Manuel Pellegrini won his first trophy as Manchester City manager after defeating Sunderland 3-1 in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley.
* In April 2014,After 10months into the job at Manchester United,Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor David Moyes was sacked due to a run of dismal results.
Former Barcelona Tito Villanova who had been battling with Cancer died at the age of 45.
* In May 2014, Manchester United hired former Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal on a three-year contract.
Diego Simeone photo credit uefa.org
* Atletico Madrid won their first Spanish La Liga title in 18 years.
Arsenal won their first major trophy in 9 years after defeating Hull City in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
Manchester City won the Barclays Premier league title for the fourth time at the expense of Liverpool.
Sevilla defeated Benfica on penalties to win the UEFA Europa League final in Turin.
uefa champions league trophy
Real Madrid’s quest for ‘La Decima’ finally came to an end as they defeated Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final in Lisbon.
*In June 2014, Chelsea completed the signing of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona for £27million on a five-year contract.
Brazil hosted the 20th FIFA World Cup in twelve cities.
fifa brazil 2014
* In July 2014, Luis Suárez was suspended for nine international matches and banned from taking part in any football-related activity (including entering any stadium) for four months, following a biting incident on Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.
Germany become the first European team to win a world cup in South American soil after defeating Argentina 1-0 in Extra time in Rio de Janeiro.
Colombian forward James Rodríguez was awarded the Golden Boot for scoring six goals at World Cup.
Messi was awarded the Golden ball as the most valuable player at the 2014 World Cup.
fifa world cup trophy
Brazil sacked Legendary coach Luis Felipe Scolari following their 7-1 defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup.
Antonio Conte left his position as Juventus manager by mutual consent after four years in charge and was replaced by former AC Milan coach Max Allegri.
Barcelona completed the signing of Luiz Suarez from Liverpool for a fee in the region of £75million.
Real Madrid signed World cup star James Rodriquez from Monaco for £63million.
* In August 2014, Manchester United signed winger Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid for a British record transfer fee of £59.7million.
Mario Balotelli, photo credit liverpoolfc.com
* Liverpool completed the signing of Mario Balotelli from AC Milan for £16million
Real Madrid won the UEFA Super Cup by defeating Europa League Champions Sevilla 2-0 at the Millenium stadium in Cardiff
*In September 2014,Arsenal completed the signing of Danny Welbeck for £16million
* Manchester United completed the loan signing of Ramadel Falcao from Monaco.
*In November 2014, Morocco officially withdrew from hosting the 2015 African Cup of Nations.
* The Draws for Copa America 2015 was made in host country Chile.
* CAF awarded the hosting rights of 2015 African Cup of Nations to Equatorial Guinea after Morocco refused to host due to fears about the Spread of Ebola.
*In December 2014,Real Madrid won the FIFA World Club championship by defeating South American champions San Lorenzo 2-0 in Marakesh,Morocco.
FIFA
* American Lawyer Michael Garcia resigned as head of FIFA ethics committee in protest over the handling of his findings.
Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala has dedicated her national honour to her parents and team mates in both the Falconnets and Super Falcons.
Speaking soon after she received her Member of the Order of the Niger MON award from President Goodluck Jonathan, Asisat said she is overjoyed at being appreciated by the Federal Government.
“It’s my second time having a handshake with the President and I am really happy about it because there are a lot of Nigerians out there wishing to just see him not to talk of hand shake with him.Having this second opportunity to shake hands with him I am really happy about it and I know it is the grace of God at work in my life.For me it’s a dream come true”
ASISAT OSHOALA, DEDICATES NATIONAL HONOUR TO TEAM MATES, PARENTS,
“I dedicate the award to God Almighty Allah who has kept and been with me ever since I started playing football up to this moment.I also dedicate the award to my parents and my family who are always praying for me.I also thank my team mates Expecially the U-20 girls who enabled me score those goals that gave me the award,not forgetting team mates in Super Falcons and my previous and present team FC Robo and Rivers Angels.I also thank my coaches who have trained me and made me into what I am right now.To my fans and every one I say thank you”
” I feel great and appreciated,that there are senior players who are greater than me but they are yet to get this award.Its a sign to me that God has done marvelously well for me and I won’t relax on this I will strive to achieve more”
Nigeria U-20 Women Team the Falconets are in Montreal ahead of their final match against Germany.
The Falconets qualified for the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after beating Democratic Republic of Korea 6-2 in their Semi final match played on wednesday in Moncton.
The team left Moncton thursday for Montreal where the finals will take place.
The Nigerian delegation are currently staying at Sheraton Hotels Montreal.
All players are in good condition with no reported injuries.
They team has got two training sessions scheduled for today as part of preparations for the final game vs Germany.
The Falconet of Nigeria defeated Korea Republic 2-1, England 2-1 and drew 1-1 with Mexico. in the group stages. Before thrashing New Zealand 4-1 in the quarter finals to proceed to the semi finals where the Nigerians edged out Democratic Peoples Republic of korea 6-2 to advance to the finals.
Nigeria and Germany met four years ago in Germany and they lost 2-0 to the Germans.
The final match of this 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada comes up on sunday by 7pm thats 12 mid-night in Nigeria.
Falconets head coach Peter Dedevbo has assured Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm as the team get set to tackle Korea DPR in the semi finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on wednesday at the Moncton Stadium.
Nigeria qualified for the round of four after a thrilling 4-1 Victory over New Zealand in the quarter finals played on sunday.
Dedevbo says the team is preparing hard to face the Koreans.
“The higher you go in football, the harder it becomes, i don’t want to leave any stone unturned in the match against Korea. Am very much aware that the Koreans are fast on the counter and thats is why the girls were not given a day off.
We have to perfect our posesion and control as well as make sure we get an early goal which will unsettle them”
On the tactics to adopt, the gaffer says the first minutes of the match will determine the tactics to be employed.
“I don’t want to disclose my strategies, the game will determine how we play, but i want to tell Nigerians that ,the team is confident and ready to take on any team”.
The Team captain says the players are not looking to underrate their opponents.
“All we need is to study their style of play, discover their plans and then move in with our tactics. We have watched their video clips and i know we shall send them parking”.
Uchechi Sunday on her part notes that the Falconets are a strong side who are not ready to bow to any team.
“We cannot allow Korea to edge us out . We defeated Korea Republic in the first round and this Korea will go same way.
I promise more goals for my team and i will play with my team mates to achieve victory, for my best is yet to come and what better place to showcase my skills than against the Koreans”.
The team has also concluded to as a matter of urgency to engage in fasting as is the tradition before every match.
The Falconets have been to the semi finals twice. the first time was in 2010 when they proceeded to the finals before loosing out to Germany, while second time was in 2012 where they finished 3rd.
The Semi-Final match between Nigeria and Korea DPR comes up on wednesday by 9pm Nigerian time.
Nigeria U-20 Women Team the Falconets, have beaten their opponents from England 2-1 in their world cup last round match to set up a quarter final duel with New Zealand.
The Falconets top their Group C of the FIFA Women’s Under 20 World cup in Canada, with seven points.
The Nigerian Ladies drew their first group game 1-1 against Mexico, then went on to win Korea Republic by 2-1.
Nigeria’s goals in the match versus the English ladies came through Loveth Ayinla in the 24th minutes and Asisat oshoala who scored the decisive goal through a penalty kick.
The English side had earlier opened scoring four minutes into the match through Parris Nikita.
This spurred the Falconets to put up fearless approach which eventually yielded the first goal.
And the first half ended all square.
The second half saw the Nigerian girls fighting hard in an attempt to win the game after the break, but this only resulted in referee Qin Liang awarding a penalty in favour of England.
The Nigerian team and supporters at the Commonwealth Stadium Edmonton were surprised, but when the kick went over the bar, a collective groan rose up in the stadium.
Referee Qin Liang later awarded Nigeria a penalty in the 54th minute, which was converted by Asisat Oshoala, this kick turned out to be the fatal blow that sent England parking and Nigeria celebrating.
Falconets React:
Loveth Ayinla, Yetunde Adeboyejo and Courtney Dike say the mistakes in the game served as a momentum builder.
“We are very happy to have beaten England, we will intensify our training as we set our eyes on the trophy.
When they scored first we felt bad, but later we played as a team like one that has not conceded a goal, and it paid off”.
Head coach, Peter Dedevbo speaks:
Peter Dedevbo, Coach Nigeria Womens Under 20 team. photo credit FIFA
“The girls played their best in the match, am so happy and i must commended them. At first i was like what is happening, but knowing my team’s performance i knew they will come from behind to win. What lies ahead now is the quarter finals and i will continue to focus on goal scoring “.
Leader of delegation: chief Felix Anyansi Agwu says the Federation is happy with the team.
“The NFF has provided the team with all that is needed to make them comfortable. We shall continue to support you. They have made Nigeria proud”.
Nigerians in Edmonton later treated the team to diner where there was so much to eat.
The Falconets will take on New Zealand in the quarter final at Moncton on sunday 17th by 5pm, 9pm Nigerian time.
This is the third time the Nigerian team as played against the English side with the two previous meetings ending in a draw and today’s game ended in favour of the Nigerians
With the FIFA U-20 Women World Cup on, the Falconets have ensured that they leave no stone unturned thereby ensuring a remarkable outing at the mundial.
Nigeria is one of Africa’s representative at the tournament.
Having made six previous appearances at the FIFA women’s world cup, the Nigerian team is determined to put on a brillant performance.
The mood at the camp is that of anxiety, all prayers are doing fine, And there are No injury worries. But the players are anxious to know who will wear the Nigerian colour for the first match.
Peter Dedevbo, Coach Nigeria Womens Under 20 team. photo credit FIFA
Peter Dedevbo coach of the team in his latest interview said that he remains confident with the caliber of players at his disposal noting that he has assembled the best legs that can take on any team in Canada.
“I have assembled some of the best players in the country, they are smart and experience. Bringing players from the U 17 team that went to Costa Rica and others from Super Falcons. has brought competion to the team.
He said the team had played a couple of friendly matches as bill up to the tournament .
“Am aware of the previous records of the team, amm confident this time around that my target is to bring home the trophy”.
Speaking on Falconets first match against Mexico, the former Flamingo coach, said the players are physically and mentally ready for the match.
“Am confident with the level of training we have had, mark my words the team will make Nigeria proud”.
Ahead of their first match against Mexico, team captain,Patience Okaeme said the team will ensureit does its best to get victory which she said will boost the psyche of the players.
“We owe it to ourselves to make Nigeria proud by winning not only our first match but all our matches”.
Sarah Nnodim and Courtney Dike say they players are going into the game as a team and will play as a team to ensure victory.
” We are happy the team is not built around any particular player, that unity will give us the needed victory. We urge Nigerians to pray for a good outing for the team”.
The Nigeria/Mexico match comes up on wedesday 6th August by 8pm ,12 midnight in Nigeria. The Match will be played at Moncton Stadium.
Peter Dedevbo, Coach Nigeria Womens Under 20 team. photo credit FIFA
There was joy in the camp of the Falconets when news broke in that a court order restraining the Aminu Maigari led executive board from running Nigeria Football by justice J.P. Lot of Jos high court has been jettisoned.
The team had qualified to participate in the FIFA U-20 female world cup from the 5th of August 2014, but a court injunction meant that the country risked not participating except the case was withdrawn Nigeria also stood the risk of being banned by FIFA.
But when news filtered into the camp, that the case has been redrawn, the team officials and players could not hide their joy.
There had been tension in the camp as the FIFA deadline of 17th July drew closer.
Some of the players who spoke with the team media officer Elizabeth Carr were Okaeme patience, Nnodim Sarah, Oshoala Asisat and Adeboyejo Yetunde.
The players said they were happy that their dreams of participating in the 2014 FIFA u – 20 women’s world cup is now a reality.
“Let me state the fact we have been very worried, thinking our training will be in vain following the earlier suspension of the country by the world football governing body FIFA. This news has given us hope, our doubts have be settled. Our prayers have been answered. We are happy right now we can not wait to intensify our training”
“We have never stopped believing that we can win the world cup but with the looming FIFA ban we taught that we would never achieve that ambition but now we give God the glory and state here that we will still win the cup”
They further commended the Federal government, Nigeria Football Federation and all stakeholders for the joint effort in resolving these issues.
“We want to promise Nigerians that our going to Canada is not only to participate, but to bring the cup home. We are happy because even with the uncertainty our coaches still continued with our routine training. So we are prepared to storm the world. The players added.
An elated Peter Dedevbo, coach of the team said that with the new development, work continues.
“I had faith that the matter will be resolved that’s why i continued with my training. I used the the period as if the team was on training tour. We are fully ready for the tournament”.
“There is no cause for alarm our dream is to do Nigeria proud and by the grace of God it is achievable.”Said Dedevbo.
He said team’s officials had played an important role in calming the players and encouraging them not to loose focus .
“You will recall that the team was air bound to Canada for its training tour on Monday 7th July but could not make it due to the FIFA threat of suspension. I have a formidable team and i know they will make the nation proud”. The coach added.
The Falconets are grouped along England, mexico and Korea Republic in Group C
The Nigeria Football Federation has decried a report sent to a number of media houses on Wednesday by a fictitious writer, claiming that world football –governing body, FIFA has refused to issue flight tickets to players and officials of the U-20 Women National Team to fly to Canada.
NFF’s Acting General Secretary, Mr. Lawrence Katken said: “It is a blatant lie to say FIFA refused to issue flight tickets to the Falconets. What happened was that the former General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, mistakenly cancelled the earlier reservations, so when the delegation got to the airport, they could not find seats on the flight.
“FIFA has told us they are working hard at alternatives, because Lufthansa Airline flights from Abuja are fully booked for the next weeks, and promised to get the players and officials to their training camp in Canada even if they have to travel in batches, from Thursday. Players and officials have been fully briefed and understand the situation.
“We are shocked at the falsehood being peddled by these faceless writers who clearly do not have the interest of the country and the interest of Nigeria football at heart.”
Katken stated categorically that there is no FIFA action against Nigeria.
“There is no action being taken by FIFA against Nigeria. The writers of falsehood and their paymasters should embrace reality.”
The U-20 Women National Team, also known as Falconets, flew out of the country on Monday for a 24 –day final camping programme in Canada ahead of this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals taking place in the same country.
A delegation of 24 players and 11 officials, led by NFF Chief Technical Officer, Siji Lagunju, flew aboard a Lufthansa Airline airplane from Abuja to Frankfurt, from where it would connect another flight to Moncton, Canada.
Head Coach Peter Dedevbo said on Monday that his girls are focused on a mission of doing the country and the continent proud in North America.
“We have a squad of able, courageous and confident players and I believe we have the capacity to go all the way in Canada,” Dedevbo said.
It would be recalled that Nigeria has featured in all previous FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals since the event was launched in the same country (Canada) 12 years ago, reaching the final in Germany four years ago before losing to hosts Germany.
The Falconets made it to the semi finals of the 2012 finals in Japan.
In Canada, Dedevbo who led the U-17 girls to the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in Trinidad and Tobago in 2010 and Azerbaijan in 2012, will pump up the Falconets’ spirit for the Group C campaign against Mexico and Korea Republic in Moncton (August 6 and 9 respectively) and; against England in Toronto on August 13.
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