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2026 U20 WWCQ: Moses Aduku names 19-woman squad for Falconets’ Rwanda clash

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2026 U20 WWCQ: Moses Aduku names 19-woman squad for Falconets’ Rwanda clash

By Oluwadamilola Olaleye

Falconets head coach Moses Aduku has unveiled a 19-player squad for Nigeria’s opening fixture in the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, as the team prepares to face Rwanda in Kigali this weekend.

Nigeria’s U20 women’s national team will begin their quest for a ticket to next year’s global showpiece with a second-round, first-leg tie at the Kigali Pele Stadium (formerly Stade Régional de Nyamirambo) on Sunday.

The team will depart Nigeria on Thursday, with preparations already fine-tuned ahead of what promises to be a crucial encounter against the Rwandan U20 side.

Aduku’s squad features a blend of home-based talents and players from established academies across the country, reflecting the coaching crew’s emphasis on balance and versatility.

The Falconets, two-time FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finalists, are expected to assert their pedigree in the qualifiers, with Aduku stressing the importance of securing a decisive result away from home before the return leg in Nigeria.

Full 19-Player List

  • Christiana Uzoma

  • Jane Ijirigho

  • Oluchi Ohaegbulem

  • Tumininu Adeshina

  • Miracle Usani

  • Faridat Abdulwahab

  • Esther Ezekwugo

  • Folashade Adegbemile

  • Taiwo Afolabi

  • Joy Igbokwe

  • Favour Nkwocha

  • Mary Aderemi

  • Kafayat Mafisere

  • Esther Inyang

  • Precious Oscar

  • Esther Moses

  • Janet Akekoromowei

  • Alaba Olabiyi

  • Ramotalahi Kareem

The Falconets are widely tipped to reach the final stages of the qualifiers, but Aduku has warned his players against complacency, emphasising the need to stay focused and disciplined throughout the campaign.

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Samuel Ahmadu
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
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