Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme has called on the Falconets to produce another strong performance against Korea Republic in their final pre-tournament friendly on Tuesday.
Nigeria’s Under-20 women’s team defeated hosts Poland in their previous warm-up match on Friday, with Mary Mamudu scoring in first-half stoppage time to secure a 1-0 victory at the Municipal Stadium in Brzeg.
Ikpeme believes a further win against Korea Republic would strengthen the confidence created by that result and help Nigeria carry positive momentum into the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
The Falconets will play their final preparation match at the Remes Sports Leisure and Spa Stadium on Tuesday, 1 September. It will be their last opportunity to test themselves before the start of the tournament.
“You did very well in your friendly match against the host nation, by holding your own and eventually emerging victorious. The NFF and the entire Nigeria nation are proud of you.
“The victory over Poland has instilled a win-mentality in you and another victory over Korea Republic on Tuesday will sustain that mindset, enabling you to confront the challenges of the group phase of the World Cup with the needed confidence and vibrancy. I urge you to go for outright victory against the Koreans.”
Nigeria are two-time World Cup runners-up and will compete in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia.
Their group campaign begins against Spain on Monday, 7 September. The Falconets will then face China PR on 10 September before completing the group phase against New Caledonia on 13 September.
The victory over Poland was secured by Mamudu’s late first-half strike, giving Nigeria a positive result in their first listed warm-up match ahead of the championship. The team will now look to finish their friendly programme with another victory against Korea Republic.
Ikpeme’s message focuses on maintaining the winning mentality developed in the success against the tournament hosts. He said that confidence and energy from the friendly matches would be important as Nigeria prepare to face the demands of the World Cup group phase.
The game against Korea Republic therefore represents more than a final practice match for the Falconets. It is also a chance for the team to reinforce its belief before beginning a group containing Spain, China PR and New Caledonia.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Spain is scheduled for Monday, 7 September, followed by the meeting with China PR three days later. Their final Group F match against New Caledonia will take place on 13 September.