Falconets head coach Moses Aduku has declared that Nigeria’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign has only just begun after his side produced a stunning 10-1 demolition of New Caledonia to storm into the Round of 16.
Nigeria entered Sunday’s final Group F encounter in Łódź under enormous pressure after collecting just one point from their opening two matches but responded with their most emphatic performance of the tournament to finish second in the group with four points.
The result completed a remarkable turnaround for a Falconets side that began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Spain before battling to a goalless draw against China PR.
For Aduku, however, reaching the knockout stage is not the time for celebration or complacency.
“The tournament has just started for us,” Aduku declared after qualification.
Despite watching his players score ten times in their decisive group encounter, the coach believes there are still areas that must be corrected if Nigeria are to remain in contention for the title.
Aduku stressed that the technical crew will return to work immediately, with the standard of opposition set to increase significantly in the knockout rounds.
The Falconets overwhelmed New Caledonia particularly after the interval, with Nigeria’s attack repeatedly breaking through their opponents’ defence. The victory significantly improved their goal difference and propelled them above China into second place in Group F.
The qualification means Nigeria will now face Group E winners England in the Round of 16 on Thursday, presenting Aduku’s players with an immediate test of how much they have learned from an inconsistent group campaign.
Aduku acknowledged that the Falconets still have plenty to improve upon despite the size of Sunday’s victory.
His message to the players is therefore to treat qualification as a fresh beginning rather than an achievement in itself.
Nigeria have considerable history in the competition. The Falconets have participated in every edition since the tournament began in 2002 and twice reached the final, finishing runners-up to Germany in 2010 and 2014.
They will now hope the emphatic victory over New Caledonia provides the confidence required to make another deep run.
The Falconets’ route to the knockout stage was far from straightforward: one defeat, one draw and one victory. But when their World Cup survival was on the line, they delivered ten goals.
Aduku knows England will present a completely different challenge, and that is why the coach is refusing to get carried away.
Ten goals rescued Nigeria from the brink, but Aduku’s message ahead of the England showdown is even more striking: forget the group stage — the Falconets’ World Cup is only starting now.
