Nigeria’s Falconets head coach, Moses Aduku, believes the team’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup has provided encouraging signs about the future of women’s football in the country.
The Falconets bowed out of the tournament after a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Colombia in Lodz, Poland, on Sunday, ending their hopes of matching Nigeria’s runners-up finishes at the 2010 and 2014 editions.
Despite the setback, Aduku said the performance of his young players throughout the tournament showed that Nigeria has a promising generation coming through.
The coach, who also guides NWFL champions Edo Queens, highlighted the Falconets’ impressive 3-0 victory over England in the round of 16 as one of the standout moments of their campaign.
Nigeria were also able to hold their own against Colombia in the quarter-final before the South Americans eventually found the decisive goal after the Falconets were reduced to 10 players.
Aduku said the tournament would serve as valuable experience for the players as they continue developing their careers.
“This tournament is good for the young players. It gives them the ability to grow and reach the next level. We have seen the future of our players and I think the future is very bright,” Aduku predicted.
The coach expressed optimism that the experience gained in Poland would contribute to the players’ development and provide a foundation for their progression to the senior national team and higher levels of the game.
