Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Emmanuel Ikpeme, has charged the Falconets and Flamingos to approach their respective international assignments with determination and confidence.
Ikpeme gave the charge while speaking with the Falconets by telephone after their training session in Łódź, Poland, ahead of their final Group F match against New Caledonia at the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The Falconets will face New Caledonia at 2 p.m. on Sunday, with the Nigerian team needing a convincing victory to strengthen its chances of reaching the Round of 16.
The NFF Director of Media and Communications, Ademola Olajire, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
Ikpeme urged the players to approach the encounter with focus, ambition and a clear understanding of what is required, stressing that goals could prove decisive in determining Nigeria’s fate in the competition.
He reminded the players that Nigeria had earned one point from its opening two matches and needed a strong performance against New Caledonia to improve its position in Group F.
The Falconets opened their campaign with a 0-2 defeat to Spain before playing out a goalless draw with China. Ikpeme acknowledged the team’s performance against China but urged the players to improve their finishing and convert their opportunities against New Caledonia.
He said a convincing victory would take Nigeria to four points and improve its prospects of progressing to the knockout stage.
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Spain currently lead Group F with six points and a +13 goal difference, while China occupy second position with four points and a +5 goal difference.
Nigeria are third with one point and a -2 goal difference, while New Caledonia sit at the bottom with no points and a -16 goal difference.
Meanwhile, Ikpeme also visited the camp of the Flamingos ahead of their departure for the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Tournament in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire.
The regional tournament is scheduled to begin on September 15, with the Nigerian team expected to depart on Monday.
Ikpeme challenged the Flamingos to target the trophy, describing the competition as an important preparatory platform ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
He reminded the players that Nigeria reached the final of the inaugural WAFU-B U-17 Girls Tournament in 2024 but lost to hosts Ghana on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
The acting NFF general secretary urged the young players to learn from that experience and return from Côte d’Ivoire with the title.
He said success at the regional tournament would help build the team’s confidence and winning mentality ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Ikpeme also praised Rangers International of Enugu for progressing to the second round of the CAF Champions League.
Rangers secured qualification after eliminating Sobemap FC of Benin Republic through a penalty shootout on Friday, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Abeokuta.
He described the achievement as a demonstration of the Nigerian spirit and called on other Nigerian clubs competing in continental competitions to show the same determination.
Rivers United, El-Kanemi Warriors and Shooting Stars are among the Nigerian clubs featuring in continental competitions this weekend.
Ikpeme urged the clubs to approach their matches with confidence and determination as they seek to advance in their respective competitions.
The Falconets, who are drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China and New Caledonia, will now look to secure a decisive result in their final group fixture. Nigeria have reached the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final twice, finishing as runners-up in 2010 and 2014.
The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup began on September 5 and is scheduled to run until September 27 in Poland.
NAN
