Nigeria’s Falconets will kick-start their 2025 WAFU B U20 Girls’ Cup campaign with a high-profile clash against arch-rivals and defending champions Ghana on Saturday in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
This year’s edition runs from November 7 to 12 and features only three participating nations — Nigeria, Ghana, and hosts Benin — following the late withdrawal of Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.
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The competition will now adopt a round-robin format, with each team playing the others twice. The team with the most points at the end of all matches will be crowned champions.
Head coach Moses Aduku, who took charge of the Falconets in July, will be looking to guide his young squad to glory and reclaim the regional title Nigeria lost to Ghana in 2023.
The Falconets have been in camp in Porto-Novo, fine-tuning their strategies and fitness levels ahead of Saturday’s 10 a.m. kickoff against the Black Maidens.
Aduku, a former coach of Bayelsa Queens and Edo Queens, previously served as assistant during the Falconets’ 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup campaign in Costa Rica. The WAFU tournament also serves as vital preparation for Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying journey.
The Falconets recently advanced to the third round of the qualifiers after defeating Rwanda 5–0 on aggregate. Up next, they face Senegal, who eliminated Algeria 6–0.
Ghana, who began their title defence with a 2–0 win over Benin, will once again provide a stern test for Aduku’s determined side.
