Nigeria U20 women’s national team, the Falconets, will resume camping this weekend in Abuja as preparations begin in earnest for their 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying clash against Rwanda, www.aclsports.com reports.
Newly appointed head coach Moses Aduku has extended invitations to 35 players for the initial training camp as the team sets its sights on securing a spot at the global showpiece billed for Poland next year.
The Falconets are scheduled to face Rwanda over two legs in the second round of the African qualifiers. The first leg will take place in Kigali on Sunday, 21st September, while the return fixture is slated for the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Saturday, 27th September.
All invited players play for clubs in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), reflecting the strength of Nigeria’s domestic women’s football system. Several players were part of the squad that featured at the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, including the captain Oluchi Ohaegbulem.
FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS
Goalkeepers
GodsTime Elisha (Ibom Angels), Fatima Oloko (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 Nkpa (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)
The invited players are expected to report to camp in Abuja on Sunday, 10th August, with full training sessions kicking off the following day.
Nigeria will aim to continue their strong U20 World Cup record, starting with a tricky away fixture against Rwanda, as coach Aduku counts on a mix of experience and young talent to lead the charge.
