Falconets Coach Aduku Vows Full Throttle for Rwanda U-20 Clash

Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, are going all-out against Rwanda in their upcoming World Cup qualifying tie, according to coach Moses Aduku. Aduku has summoned 35 players to camp in Abuja beginning 10 August as part of preparations for the second-round fixtures.

The first leg of the qualifier takes place in Kigali on Sunday 21 September, with the return leg scheduled for 27 September at Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.

Aduku admitted it was a challenge getting the squad back into shape after a two-month break, but said the players are now responding well to conditioning and tactical sessions. He warned that Rwanda possess pace and good teamwork, but insisted Nigeria has studied their matches and is working on strategies to counter their strengths.

Some members of the squad come with experience from last year’s U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia—captain and defender Oluchi Ohaegbulem, midfielder Joy Igbokwe, and forwards Mary Lucky Mkpa and Goodness Osigwe are among those recalled.

Editorial

We believe Moses Aduku’s approach to this Rwanda encounter signals more than just tactical readiness—it reveals his resolve to re-assert Falconets as a force in youth women’s football. Calling up 35 players to camp underlines his desire for depth and competition, ensuring no complacency among the squad. With experienced campaigners alongside emerging talents, the blend aims to optimise both leadership and hunger.

Coming off a break, the team’s work on conditioning and tactical drills is vital. Physical fitness and match sharpness often decide the margins in qualifiers. Aduku has acknowledged the burnout risk, and his willingness to push through but with structured preparation shows care as well as ambition. When a team has players who have tasted major tournaments, expectation and pressure increase—but so should their belief.

His strategy to study Rwanda’s strengths and plan countermeasures reflects modern coaching; it is not enough anymore to rely solely on Nigeria’s pedigree. As football evolves, the ability to adapt, plug weaknesses and exploit opportunities becomes paramount. Aduku seems to grasp this.

We see this qualifier as a litmus test—not just for results, but for how well the Falconets can manage internal dynamics squad harmony, fitness, and psychological readiness. The capacity to stay composed away in Kigali and then deliver at home in Ibadan will show whether this youth group has the mettle to take serious steps forward. We expect the team to fight relentlessly as they must to make this tie a stepping stone toward the World Cup finals.

Did You Know?

1. Nigeria’s Falconets have participated in every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, reaching the final twice in 2010 and 2014.
2. Moses Aduku previously coached top Nigerian women’s clubs Bayelsa Queens and Edo Queens before taking over the Falconets.
3. The return leg of the Rwanda tie will be played at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
4. Among those called up by Aduku are players who were part of the Falconets squad that reached the Round of 16 at the 2024 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
5. To prepare, the Falconets camp will open in Abuja on 10 August, with full training from the next day onward.