Falconets Step Up World Cup Preparations with Poland, Korea Republic Friendlies

Falconets Step Up World Cup Preparations with Poland, Korea Republic Friendlies

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria U20 women's national team, the Falconets, will intensify their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with high-profile friendly matches against Poland and Korea Republic as coach Moses Aduku fine-tunes his squad for the global tournament, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Nigerian side, currently preparing in Abuja, are expected to depart for Poland on August 24, ahead of the tournament scheduled to run from September 5 to 27.

The warm-up fixtures against the host nation and Korea Republic are expected to give Aduku an opportunity to assess his players against quality opposition while working on the tactical and physical aspects of the team’s game ahead of the World Cup.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group F alongside four-time participants Spain, China PR and tournament debutants New Caledonia. The Falconets will begin their campaign against Spain at the Arena Sosnowiec on September 7 before taking on China PR on September 10 and New Caledonia on September 13.

The Spain opener represents an early test for Nigeria, with La Rojita among the teams expected to challenge for the title. Spain reached the quarter-finals at the 2024 edition in Colombia and are targeting a stronger campaign in Poland.

Nigeria, meanwhile, will be appearing at the U-20 Women’s World Cup for the 12th time. The Falconets have established themselves as one of the competition’s most consistent teams, reaching the final twice and making the quarter-finals on eight occasions in their first 10 appearances, according to FIFA.

Their most recent campaign in Colombia in 2024 ended in the round of 16, where Japan defeated Nigeria 2-1. Olushola Shobowale scored Nigeria’s late consolation after Japan had taken control of the tie.

Akekoromowei boost for Nigeria

The Falconets have also received a significant boost with Benfica forward Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei cleared to join the squad for the World Cup.

The 18-year-old striker had been a concern for Nigeria after an ankle injury disrupted her progress, but she is now expected to link up with the team in Poland.

Akekoromowei is one of the emerging talents in Nigerian women’s football and has already represented the country at senior level. Her availability gives Aduku another attacking option as Nigeria prepare for a demanding group-stage campaign.

Benfica officially announced her signing in July, confirming that the Nigerian forward had agreed a contract with the Portuguese club until 2028, with an option for a further two years.

The Portuguese club described Akekoromowei as one of Nigeria’s promising young players. She came through the Asisat Oshoala Academy and has represented Nigeria at youth level, including at the 2024 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.

Her return to the Falconets setup is particularly timely, with Aduku seeking to build a squad capable of navigating a group that contains Spain and China PR, both of whom will present a considerable tactical challenge.

Korea Republic familiar opponents

The proposed friendly against Korea Republic should also provide a useful reference point for Nigeria.

The two sides met at the 2024 U-20 Women’s World Cup, where Nigeria secured a 1-0 victory through Flourish Sabastine’s late goal. FIFA noted that the result was Nigeria’s fourth win in four meetings with Korea Republic at the U-20 World Cup.

Korea Republic are also among the 24 teams competing in Poland and have been drawn in Group C with France, Ghana and Ecuador.

The 2026 tournament will be the 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the first to be hosted by Poland. Matches will be played across Bielsko-Biała, Katowice, Łódź and Sosnowiec, with the final scheduled for Łódź on September 27.

For Nigeria, the immediate priority will be to use the final phase of their preparations to establish a settled team, sharpen their attacking options and develop the defensive discipline required to compete with some of the world's leading youth sides.

With the World Cup now less than a month away, the Poland and Korea Republic tests should offer Aduku valuable opportunities to identify his strongest combination before the Falconets face Spain in their opening Group F fixture.