2026 FIFA U-20 qualifiers: Falconets call up 38 for Rwanda showdown
Newly appointed head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, Moses Aduku, has invited 38 players to camp as preparations begin for next month’s 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Rwanda.
The Rwandans will host the first leg of the second-round tie in Kigali on Sunday, September 21, with the return leg scheduled for the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Saturday, September 27.
The list includes four goalkeepers, 15 defenders, nine midfielders, and 10 forwards. The players are expected to resume in camp in Abuja on Sunday, August 10, while training sessions will begin the following day.
Aduku has recalled several players who were part of the team that reached the Round of 16 at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia, including defender and captain Oluchi Ohaegbulem, midfielder Joy Igbokwe, and forwards Mary Lucky Mkpa and Goodness Osigwe.
In the 2024 edition, which featured 24 teams for the first time, the Falconets defeated Korea Republic 1-0 in their opening game, lost 1-3 to Germany, and beat Venezuela 4-0 before being eliminated by Japan in the Round of 16 following a narrow 2-1 defeat.
Next year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals will be held in Poland.
Invited Players
Goalkeepers:
GodsTime Elisha (Ibom Angels); Fatima Okolo (Rivers Angels); Sylvia Echefu (Bayelsa Queens); Stella Emperor (Adamawa Queens)
Defenders:
Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Nasarawa Amazons); Tumininu Adeshina (Naija Ratels); Folashade Adegbemile (Edo Queens); Sandra Nwibe (Rivers Angels); Marylen Edem (Nasarawa Amazons); Vivian Ekezie (Abia Angels); Esther Adesoji (Nasarawa Amazons); Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers); Motunrayo Yusuf (FC Robo Queens); Ramotallahi Kareem (Rivers Angels); Chiamaka Ezekuwugo (Bayelsa Queens)
Midfielders:
Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels); Kafaya Mafisera (Edo Queens); Joy Igbokwe (Nasarawa Amazons); Yetunde Omotosho (Remo Stars Ladies); Esther Inyang (Edo Queens); Mary Aderemi (Bayelsa Queens); Favour Nkwocha (FC Robo Queens); Faridat Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons); Adanna Nwachukwu (Naija Ratels)
Forwards:
Mary Mamudu (Edo Queens); Mary Lucky Mkpa (Bayelsa Queens); Goodness Osigwe (Edo Queens); Delight Isaac (Bayelsa Queens); Esther Moses (Edo Queens); Grace Saliu (Naija Ratels); Dorothy Eshiet (Abia Angels); Alaba Olabiyi (Bayelsa Queens); Tessy Ojiyovwi (Nasarawa Amazons); Precious Oscar (Bayelsa Queens); Daniella Fagbenro (Remo Stars Ladies)
