FIFA U20 World Cup: Nigeria vs France – Match preview as Falconets take on Europe’s Little Blues

The younger Nigerian girls are nonetheless in quest of a maiden world cup title after ending runners-up on two earlier events

Nigeria’s girls under-20 nationwide crew will lock horns with their French counterparts of their opening group match of the 2022 Fifa U20 World Cup in Costa Rica.

Nigeria and France have by no means gained the trophy within the competitors’s 20-year historical past, and each nations will purpose to start their title problem with a win.

What’s going to France deliver to the conflict?

In France, Nigeria face a crew that has gained the UEFA Girls’s U-19 European Championships 5 instances, their newest triumph coming three years in the past.

A well-drilled outfit, the Little Blues are coached by the dynamic Sonia Haziraj and have, in Louna Ribadeira and Laurina Fazer, two of essentially the most gifted younger footballers within the recreation.

France’s document on the u-20 World Cup is just not horrible. The younger French girls have been runners-up on the 2016 version and have completed in third place as soon as and in fourth place twice.

They not too long ago thrashed Ghana U-20 4-0 to ship a transparent message of intent to Nigeria forward of this conflict.

What’s going to Nigeria deliver to the conflict?

As spectacular as France are, the Falconets can’t be intimidated by the European nation’s feats.

The Nigeria U-20 women are the dominant pressure on the African continent, qualifying for each version of the World Cup because it was put in in 2002.

The 2-time African champions made it to the finals of the FIFA World Cup twice in 2010 and 2014, shedding to Germany on each events.

What are the managers saying?

Speaking to the Fifa web site, France u-20 coach Sonia Haziraj mentioned, “I’m extraordinarily cautious of Nigeria. I’ve huge respect for the African recreation and Nigeria have quite a few gamers who possess actual high quality.

“The Nigerians at all times get out of their group on the youth tournaments. I’ve watched them and so they’re a well-drilled, hard-working aspect.

“They’ve nice tempo and are very athletic, and we’ll should be able to match them in that respect.”

Earlier, Falconets’ handler Chris Danjuma mentioned: “We’re lastly right here, and we’re blissful to be right here on the FIFA World Cup.

“The World Cup is at all times an attention-grabbing expertise for the coaches and the gamers, and I’m positive it’s the similar for different professionals who get to be concerned.

“We took a protracted path to get right here, having to play 4 totally different groups within the qualifying collection. I can let you know that we’re ready to do Nigeria and Africa proud. It’s not about being right here to make up the quantity; it’s about being right here to make an impression.”

Match particulars

Match: FIFA U-20 World Cup
Host: Costa Rica
Sport: Nigeria vs. France
Venue: Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San Jose
Date: Friday, August 12
Kick-off time: 12 a.m. Nigerian time