FALCONETS head coach Moses Aduku has assured that despite the absence of top striker Janet Akekoromowei, his team will overcome hosts Senegal in Saturday’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup third qualifying round, second leg encounter.
Akekoromowei sustained an injury in the first half of last Saturday’s first leg in Abeokuta and had to be taken off as the Falconets secured a 1-0 win.
She has been left out of the squad to travel to Dakar tomorrow morning.
“We will overcome because we have reviewed the match and taken a lot of lessons on board,” Aduku said.
“I commend the girls for regrouping after a tough first half, adjusting tactics and showing character in the second half. We could have won by more goals because we created a number of opportunities in that second period.
“In Senegal, we must defend resolutely and attack with purpose. We will play with focus and determination.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed officials from Morocco to take charge of the second leg match, set for Stade Lat Dior in Thies, Senegal’s third largest city, which is 70 kilometres from the capital Dakar.
Zakia El Grini will be the referee, to be assisted by Karima Khadiri (AR1) and Ihsane Ennouajeli Nouajli (AR2), with Zoulaikha Harmasse as fourth official.
Oumou Souleymane Kane from Mauritania will be the commissioner while Kenyan Alice Kimani will be in the role of referee assessor.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 5pm Senegalese time (6pm Nigerian time), with the winners on aggregate advancing to the final round of the African qualifiers.
The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s Cup will be held in Poland in September.
