FIFAU-20 WWC:Falconets face uphill task against Japan’s Nadeshiko in Bogota

**As Danjuma’s coaching pedigree comes under scrutiny

By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist

Two-time silver medallists of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, the Falconets of Nigeria faces a herculean  task when they take on the Nadeshiko of Japan in their round of 16 match of the 2024 edition on Thursday evening (Friday in Nigeria) at Bogota’s 10,000-seat Estadio Metropolitano de Tech, Colombia.

This encounter which will decide the faith of both Nigeria and Japan either to stay or exit from the ongoing competition promises to be a very intriguing affair due to the fact that none of the two sides will like to be eliminated at this  stage.

With an intimidating record of amassing nine points, 13 goals scored, and just one goal conceded in the group stage, Japan poses a very great threat to Nigeria’s advancement in the competition.

This is even as Falconets head coach, Christopher Danjuma Musa’s team has never progressed beyond the second round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with his wards  crashing out in the round of 16 in the recent two editions in France in 2018 and Costa Rica in 2022.

The Nasarawa Amazons gaffer was in charge of Nigeria’s U-20 women’s side at the World Cup in 2018 when Spain beat struggling Nigeria 2–1 courtesy of goals by Aitana Bonmatí 13′ and Eva Guijarro  45+2′ as Peace Efih’s  57′ goal at Stade Guy Piriou, Concarneau. France could not save the African representatives.

The story was the same in Costa Rica in 2022, when the Falconets were knocked out following a 2-0 defeat by Netherlands in the quarter-finals after winning all three group matches but fell short in the knock-out stage.

Two years later, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has for the third time appointed Danjuma to lead the Falconets to his third straight FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final despite not living up to expectations in his earlier two assignments.

Yet, in Colombia, the Nigerian team has struggled under Danjuma who was appointed by NFF after the Falconets failed to progress past the preliminary stage at the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea, which led to the disengagement of former Peter Dedevbo

Dedevbo had in 2014 edition led Nigeria’s Falconets win her second silver medal in Canada, losing to nemesis Germany by a lone goal in the epic final on August 24, 2014 in the presence of 15,822 spectators at Olympic Stadium, Montreal.

Earlier coach Edem Egan had led the Falconets to the  second place finish in 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final in Germany as host country defeated Nigeria 2-0 in the final no thanks to Alex Popp 8′ and Osinachi Ohale 90’+2′ own goal.

Although Danjuma who had previously served as assistant coach of the Super Falcons and has twice taken full charge of the team has showered encomiums on his players for working hard to reach the knockout stage in Colombia.

Said he: “The girls have worked very hard to get to this stage, and we are proud of their efforts. We will be taking the knockout stages one match at a time”.

He spoke after Nigeria thrashed 4-0 Venezuela 4-0 in the last group match as Falconets qualify for FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup knockout stage behind Germany which had earlier defeated Nigeria 3-1 in the second group game.

Nigeria defeated Korea Republic 1-0 thanks to a spectacular late goal by Flourish Sabastine in Bogota in their group opener even as Nigeria won two matches, lost one and drew none. Falconets scored a total of six goals and conceded four in three matches.

In contrast the Japanese have been scoring goals with reckless abandon and to set up a matchup with the Falconets, the Nadeshiko overcame Nicole Ojukwu’s Austria 2-0 in their last group game, thanks to a brace from Maya Hijjikata.

The Asian giants prior to this, destroyed New Zealand 7-0 and easily defeated Ghana 4-1 in their group matches. As a result, they ended with nine points, 13 goals scored, and just one goal allowed.

The above statistics showed clearly the better team between the two gladiators in the battle for quarter-finals tickets and a chance to stay in the hunt for the coveted trophy in the next one week should the team continue to win the remaining four matches.

For coach Danjuma, no excuse for failure in his third attempt to equal or surpass the records of Egan and Dedevbo who played in the finals many years ago will be acceptable, not when he has a collection of good players most of who have played in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup before.

In his ‘3rd Missionary Journey’, Danjuma has no fewer than seven players who were with him in Costa Rica in the 2022 edition in the current squad in Colombia including defenders Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Captain), Jumoke Alani and Rofiat Imuran as well as midfielder Adoo Yina; forwards Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Flourish Sabastine and Chioma Olise.

Nigeria’s Squad for Colombia 2024:

*Goalkeepers:*

•• Anderline Mgbechi (Delta Queens)

•• Faith Omilana (Naija Ratels)

•• Shukura Bakare (Nasarawa Amazons)

*Defenders:*

•• *Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Nasarawa Amazons)*

•• Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens)

•• *Jumoke Alani (Nasarawa Amazons)*

•• Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens)

•• *Rofiat Imuran (Unattached)*

•• Oluwabunmi Oladeji (Naija Ratels)

*Midfielders:*

•• *Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons)*

•• *Chioma Olise (Edo Queens)*

•• Olushola Shobowale (Nasarawa Amazons)

•• Joy Igbokwe (Naija Ratels)

•• Shakirat Oyinlola (La Liga Academy, Spain)

*Forwards:*

•• *Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Rivers Angels)*

•• Mary Nkpa (Heartland Queens)

•• Chiamaka Osigwe (Edo Queens)

•• Janet Akekoromowei (Asisat Oshoala Academy)

•• *Flourish Sabastine (Stade de Reims, France)*

•• Aminat Bello (Otero College, USA)

•• Opeyemi Ajakaye (Madrid CFF, Spain).