The Nigeria U-20 women’s national team, the Falconets, have arrived in Abeokuta for their pivotal 2024 African U-20 Women’s World Cup qualification tie against Senegal’s Lionesses de Téranga. The move to the city from their initial Ibadan base follows a last-minute venue change necessitated by concerns over the playing surface at the originally scheduled Lekan Salami Stadium.
The team, under head coach Moses Aduku, concluded the second phase of their preparatory camping in Ibadan on Tuesday. Their training regimen was preceded by a concentrated camp in Abuja, from where they travelled to Ibadan on January 27. A key component of their build-up was a friendly match last weekend against a strong Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) side, FC Robo, which the Falconets won 2-1. This fixture provided valuable competitive rhythm ahead of the two-legged qualifier.
The decision to shift the first leg from Ibadan to Abeokuta was taken by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after a technical assessment deemed the Adamasinga stadium pitch unsuitable for an official international match. This change ensures the contest takes place on a surface meeting CAF and FIFA standards, prioritising player safety and the quality of the game.
Saturday’s encounter in Abeokuta is scheduled for a 4:00 PM kick-off (Nigerian time). It represents the first step in a crucial qualifying campaign for the Falconets, who are former finalists in this competition and perennial contenders for Africa’s sole World Cup slot. Senegal’s Lionesses de Téranga, having progressed through earlier rounds, present a formidable challenge with their own blend of experience and emerging talent.
The tie carries significant weight for both federations. For Nigeria, it is an opportunity to continue a strong tradition in the age-grade category and secure a pathway to developmental success on the global stage. For Senegal, it is a chance to make a deep run and signal their growing prowess in women’s football. The aggregate winner over the two legs will advance to the final qualification stage.
With preparations now complete in their new venue, the Falconets focus on converting their training form and recent friendly momentum into a positive first-leg result in front of a home-supporting crowd in Abeokuta. The outcome will set the tone for the return fixture in Senegal and the broader quest for a spot at the forthcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
