FC Robo Queens founder Emmanuel Osahon believes Nigeria’s stunning 3-0 victory over England has demonstrated what the Falconets can achieve when the team is allowed to settle, insisting there should be no attempt to disrupt the squad by imposing foreign-based players on the coaching crew.
Osahon, a prominent grassroots talent developer in Nigerian women’s football, said the Falconets are finally finding their rhythm after the difficulties that characterised the beginning of their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign in Poland.
Nigeria produced their biggest performance of the tournament on Thursday, sweeping England aside 3-0 in Bielsko-Biała to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Tosin Rafiu opened the scoring after eight minutes before goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma saved Rachel Maltby’s penalty to preserve Nigeria’s advantage. Janet Akekoromowei doubled the lead two minutes after half-time before Mercy Mamudu completed the victory in the 73rd minute.
Reacting to the performance, Osahon said the improvement from Nigeria’s difficult opening matches is becoming increasingly obvious.
“With the initial setback, we can now see that the team is getting their shape,” Osahon said.
He believes continuity has been important and argued strongly against introducing players simply because they are based outside Nigeria.
“There is no time for anyone to impose any foreign player on the team and make useless of our homegrown players,” he said.
“That is the effect of what we can now see — no distraction. And with this, I can see the team going far.”
Osahon’s position places the spotlight firmly on the locally developed players who have driven Nigeria’s dramatic turnaround at the tournament.
Thursday’s opening goalscorer, Rafiu, plays for Osahon’s FC Robo Queens, further strengthening his personal connection to the Falconets’ campaign.
FC Robo has built a significant reputation for developing Nigerian women’s footballers. The Lagos club’s development system has produced players including Super Falcons stars Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade, while its players have regularly progressed into Nigeria’s youth and senior national teams.
Osahon’s latest comments also follow the position he took when Nigeria’s World Cup campaign appeared to be in serious trouble.
The Falconets began with a 2-0 defeat against Spain before drawing 0-0 with China, leaving Moses Aduku’s team with one point and no goals after two matches.
At that stage, Osahon publicly defended Aduku and urged Nigerians not to turn against the coach.
He said injuries and visa-related difficulties had affected Nigeria’s preparations before the tournament and argued that the improvement visible against China provided reasons to remain patient with the team.
Events since then have dramatically changed the picture.
Facing elimination in their final Group F match, the Falconets demolished New Caledonia 10-1 to reach the Round of 16.
They then followed that record victory by scoring three unanswered goals against England, meaning Nigeria have now struck 13 goals without reply across their last two matches.
The Falconets have consequently moved from the brink of a group-stage exit to the final eight of the World Cup.
For Osahon, that turnaround is evidence of a team gradually settling into its identity rather than one requiring major disruption.
His argument is particularly centred on protecting opportunities for players developed within Nigeria, a subject on which his own career gives him a strong personal perspective.
The FC Robo founder began his grassroots project in Lagos and has spent years developing young female footballers for club and international football.
Nigeria’s next examination comes on Sunday, when the Falconets return to Łódź to face the winner of Poland against Colombia for a place in the semi-finals.
And after defending the team when results were difficult, Osahon believes the performances against New Caledonia and England are now vindicating his confidence.
His message after the England demolition is therefore emphatic: trust the homegrown players, protect the team from distractions and allow the Falconets to continue what they have started — because he believes this Nigerian side can go far in Poland.
