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Falconets Coach Aduku Unimpressed Despite 2–0 Win Over Malawi
Head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team, Moses Aduku, has expressed mixed feelings following the Falconets’ 2–0 victory over Malawi in the first leg of the final qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Speaking after the match, Aduku acknowledged the win but admitted he was not fully satisfied with his team’s performance, particularly in the first half.
“We thank God for the victory. The first half was not too good because of coordination and missed opportunities. When such chances are missed, the opponents can rise to the occasion,” he said. “We scored early in the second half, but I still believe we can do better.”
The coach noted that Malawi adopted a defensive approach, especially before the break, but expects a different challenge in the return leg.
“In football, you can create chances and not convert them. Malawi were defensive, but in the second leg they will come out more, and that will give us opportunities to score first,” Aduku added.
Despite the two-goal advantage, the Falconets coach remains focused on securing qualification rather than celebrating early success.
“I am not excited until we secure the World Cup ticket. I always tell my players to stay focused. We’ve improved with each match against Rwanda and Senegal, and I believe this tie will be no different.”
Looking ahead to the second leg in Malawi, Aduku emphasized that his team will not adopt a defensive mindset.
“We are two goals up, but we won’t sit back. The opponents won’t either. It might even be easier because they will open up, and we can create more chances. Our defense and goalkeeper are solid.”
He also provided updates on player fitness and squad decisions. Aduku expressed hope that Janet Akekeromowei will be fit in time for the World Cup, while confirming that Kindness Ifeanyi only suffered a minor muscle issue and is expected to recover quickly.
Explaining his tactical adjustments, the coach said he made key substitutions to improve the team’s performance.
“We noticed issues early and made changes in the second half. Captain Joy Igbokwe was taken off due to a yellow card. We also substituted Queen after missed chances, bringing in Precious Oscar, which improved our positional play.”
Aduku stressed that while motivation from the sidelines is important, execution ultimately lies with the players.
“I can only push them; I can’t go on the pitch to score,” he remarked.
He concluded by downplaying psychological tactics ahead of the return leg, insisting the team’s focus will remain on improving performance.
“Mind games are part of football, but we won’t rely on that. We’ll stay focused and correct our mistakes.”
The coach also highlighted the importance of previous matches, including fixtures at the WAFU-B tournament against Ghana and Benin Republic, in shaping the team’s progress and readiness for crucial qualifiers.
