Nigeria U-20 team urged to improve ahead of World Cup match against England
Nigeria’s women’s U-20 national team has been urged to improve its finishing, defensive organization and tactical discipline ahead of the World Cup round-of-16 match against England in Poland. The match will take place on Thursday at Stadion Miejski in Bielsko-Biała and will kick off at 14:00 local time, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
Route to the playoffs
The Nigerians, known as the Falconets, finished second in Group F with four points from three matches. The team lost 0-2 to Spain, drew 0-0 with China, and then defeated tournament debutants New Caledonia 10-1.
Olubunmi Fadipe, coach of the Formidable Under-15 Girls Football Academy, cautioned the players against drawing too many conclusions from the big win over New Caledonia. She stressed that against England, the team needs to create and convert more chances, as well as effectively use quick counterattacks after opponents lose the ball.
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Defence and set pieces
Chinenye Obi, head coach of the Philadelphia Football Academy, believes Nigeria must address its defensive and tactical problems before facing the stronger English team. In her view, the match will be evenly balanced: the Nigerians may advance on penalties or win 1-0 in regular time.
Abubakar Mohammed, assistant coach of the Greatest Legends Football Academy, urged the team to make maximum use of set pieces, including corners and free kicks. Sports commentator Chukwunonso Arinzechi noted the team’s fighting spirit and the work of head coach Moses Aduku, while also saying that the team has been affected by visa difficulties, including the absence of captain Joy Ibokwe.
Nigeria remains the only African team in the tournament after Ghana, Tanzania and Benin were eliminated in the group stage. The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is taking place in Poland from September 5 to 27.
