Falconets coach Moses Aduku’s preparation for the all-important FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Group F fixture against China received a major boost as Benfica forward Janet Akekoromowei joins the team.
Benfica Forward Janet Akekoromowei arrived in Poland on Wednesday after completing the necessary documentation in Portugal, according to Savid News.
The two-time silver-medallists return to action today for their second Group F game at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, facing China PR at Arena Sosnowiec.
However, after the opening-day defeat to Spain, the Falconets will seek to bounce back and keep their qualification hopes alive.
Coach Moses Aduku said on Wednesday night: “We have put the match against Spain behind us and focussing totally on the clash with China. The players are ready to come out stronger for the match against China.”
Meanwhile, China go into the match after a 5-0 pounding of New Caledonia in their first match. The result establishes them at the top of the Group F table, ahead of 2022 champions Spain on goal difference.
Nigeria and China have met twice previously at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals.
In 2006 in Russia, the very competition where the event was renamed FIFA U20 (as against U19 for the first two tournaments in Canada and Thailand), China defeated the Falconets 3-0 in a group match at the Podmoskovie Stadium.
Furthermore, a late own goal by a Chinese defender handed Nigeria a 1-1 draw in Dinan-Léhon, in France, in 2018, a result that sent the Falconets into the tournament’s quarter-finals.