Nigeria’s U20 female football team, the Falconets have returned to the Colombia capital, Bogota, ahead of Friday morning’s Round of 16 clash with Japan.
Japan, one of the strongest forces in women’s football globally, topped Group E that also included Austria, New Zealand and one of Africa’s flag-bearers Ghana. Ghana crashed out of the tournament after losing to Japan and Austria, and a narrow win over New Zealand.
The Falconets reached the Round of 16 after pipping Korea Republic 1-0 and losing 1-3 to Germany, and then earning a fabulous 4-0 win over Venezuela in Cali.
“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. I must tell you that we are excited at the prospects of facing Japan and what that brings forth,” Coach Chris Musa Danjuma said on his team’s return to the capital on Wednesday night.
The clash between Nigeria and Japan will hold at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota – where the Falconets played their first two matches of the group phase against Korea Republic and Germany – starting from 2am Nigeria time (8pm, Thursday in Colombia) on Friday, 13th September.
The Nigerian Falconets have been drawn against in the round of 16 in the ongoing FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup at Columbia.
The Nigerian team had qualified from the group after two wins versus South Korea and Venezuela, but with a 3-1 loss to Germany in between.
They now face a Japan team, which is one of the most formidable teams in the tournament, having scored a whopping 13 goals and conceded just one en route to the round of 16. Japan demolished New Zealand by 7 goals to nil, thrashed Ghana by 4 goals to 1, and Austria by two goals to nothing.
Nigeria, on the other hand, earned a slight 1-0 versus South Korea, and lost to Germany before a hammering demolition of Venezuela three days ago, winning 4 goals to nothing convincingly.
The match will be played on Friday, 13th of September, 2024.
Below is the full round of 15 fixtures:
Spain vs Canada
Brazil vs Cameroon
Colombia vs South Korea
Mexico vs USA
North Korea vs Austria
Germany vs Argentina
Netherlands vs France
Japan vs Nigeria
If the Falconets go through, they face the winner of Spain vs Canada.
Ex Eagles winger, Victor Moses, set to return to action signs Luton town deal
Championship side, Luton Town, have confirmed the signing of former Nigeria international, Victor Moses, on a permanent deal, subject to international clearance.
The 33-year-old winger joins the Hatters after parting ways with Russian club Spartak Moscow earlier this summer, following the expiration of his contract.
Moses brings a wealth of experience to the club, having previously played for top European sides including Wigan Athletic, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Inter Milan.
Moses was a key member of the Chelsea squad that won the UEFA Europa League in the 2012/13 season under manager Rafa Benitez.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the move, Victor Moses said, “I’m looking forward to it. I had a few offers from Europe, but I told my agent that I set my mind on staying here, and here we are. I’m very pleased and honoured to be at this club, and I just can’t wait to get going.”
He added that conversations with Luton Town’s head coach, Rob Edwards, and the club’s directors influenced his decision. “They told me the plan and the history of the club, and I just want to be part of the success. I want to come here, enjoy my football, work hard for the club and the team, and get back to where we belong in the Premier League.”
Luton Town manager Rob Edwards expressed excitement about Moses’ arrival, saying, “We think he’s someone who can provide some really good competition for us.”
Moses got a taste of his new team during a behind-closed-doors match last week.
The addition of Moses comes at a crucial time for Luton, who have struggled in the Championship with only one point from four games this season.