Falconets Target Senegal Upset in Dakar Without Injured Akekoromowei

Nigeria’s U20 girls, the Falconets, will aim to complete the job against hosts Senegal on Saturday despite the absence of injured striker Janet Akekoromowei, head coach Moses Aduku has said ahead of the decisive FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying clash.

Akekoromowei was forced off in the first half of last weekend’s first leg in Abeokuta after sustaining an injury and has been ruled out of the squad that travelled to Dakar on Wednesday morning.

Speaking before departure, Aduku expressed confidence that his team has learned valuable lessons from the first leg and is ready to rise to the challenge away from home.

“We will overcome because we have reviewed the match and taken a lot of lessons on board,” Aduku said. “I commend the girls for regrouping after a tough first half, adjusting tactics and showing character in the second half. We could have won by a larger margin because we created numerous opportunities in that period.

“In Senegal, we must defend resolutely and attack with purpose. We will play with focus and determination.”

The Confederation of African Football has appointed match officials from Morocco for the encounter, which will be played at Stade Lat Dior in Thies, Senegal’s third-largest city, about 70 kilometres from Dakar.

Zakia El Grini will serve as referee, assisted by Karima Khadiri and Ihsane Ennouajeli Nouajli, while Zoulaikha Harmasse will act as fourth official. Oumou Souleymane Kane of Mauritania has been named match commissioner, with Kenya’s Alice Kimani as referee assessor.

Saturday’s match is scheduled to kick off at 5 pm Senegal time (6 pm Nigeria time). The winner on aggregate will advance to the final round of the African qualifiers, with the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals set to take place in Poland in September.

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