Moses Aduku Confident Falconets Will Overcome Senegal Despite Akekoromowei Absence

Nigeria U-20 head coach Moses Aduku has expressed strong confidence that the Falconets will rise to the challenge and overcome hosts Senegal in Saturday’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup third-round, second-leg qualifier, despite the absence of key striker Janet Akekoromowei.

Akekoromowei sustained an injury in the first half of last Saturday’s first-leg encounter in Abeokuta and was forced off the pitch. The forward has subsequently been ruled out of the return leg and did not make the squad that departed for Dakar on Wednesday morning.

Speaking ahead of the decisive clash, Aduku insisted that his side has learned valuable lessons from the first leg and remains fully focused on the task ahead.

“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 more goals because we created a number of opportunities in that second period.”

The Falconets go into the second leg holding a narrow 1–0 advantage, but Aduku emphasized that discipline and intent will be crucial on Senegalese soil.

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

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed a Moroccan officiating crew for the encounter, which will be played at Stade Lat Dior in Thiès, Senegal’s third-largest city, located about 70 kilometres from Dakar.

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

The match is scheduled to kick off at 5pm Senegal time (6pm Nigeria time), with the aggregate winner advancing to the final round of the African qualifiers. The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will be staged in Poland in September.

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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