By ADERONKE OJO

Emmanuel Ikpeme, acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has charged the U-20 women’s national team, Falconets, to brace up for their crucial match against New Caledonia.

The Falconets will lock horns with New Caledonia in a final Group F stage match at the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland on Sunday by 2p.m.

The NFF Director of Media and Communications, Ademola Olajire, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Ikpeme gave the charge in a telephone conversation with the Falconets after their training session in Łódź on Saturday.

He urged the players to approach the encounter with determination, focus and a clear objective, stressing that a convincing victory would enhance their chances of progressing to the Round of 16.

“You have a great chance to qualify for the Round of 16 if you win and win well against New Caledonia.

“It is a good opportunity that you have to prove yourself, but you must approach the match with clarity of purpose, focus and ambition.

“You had a good game against China, but you did not score, so our country is still with one point on the table.

“Against New Caledonia, the goals are important to take us to four points and a good position to reach the knockout rounds,” he said.

NAN reports that the Falconets played out a goalless draw with China on Thursday, having earlier lost 0 – 2 to Spain on Monday.

The Nigerian side must secure a convincing victory against New Caledonia to overturn the goal deficit and improve their chances of advancing to the knockout stage.

Meanwhile, Ikpeme, today, visited the camp of the U-17 women’s national team, Flamingos, ahead of their departure for the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Tournament in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire.

The tournament Is scheduled to begin on Sept. 15, with the Flamingos expected to depart Nigeria on Monday.

Ikpeme urged the players to go all out for the title, saying success at the regional tournament would boost their confidence ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

“Nigeria got to the final of the inaugural edition of this competition in 2024, but the team was unlucky to lose on penalties to the host nation, Ghana, after a 2 – 2 stalemate.

“I want you girls to go all out and win the trophy in Yamoussoukro, so that you can possess a winning mentality ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

“The tournament in Yamoussoukro is a good preparatory programme for you ahead of the FIFA World Cup, and I believe your coaches have told you how important it is to go there with confidence and positive energy to conquer,” he said.

The acting NFF general secretary also congratulated Rangers International of Enugu on their qualification for the second round of the CAF Champions League.

Rangers eliminated hosts Sobemap FC of Benin Republic via a penalty shootout on Friday after the first leg in Abeokuta ended 1 – 1.

“The NFF is happy with the feat of Enugu Rangers in Lomé; only warriors win in that manner.

“In spite of the fact that the first leg in Abeokuta ended in a 1 – 1 draw, they went to Lomé with the famous Nigerian spirit and conquered.

“We call on the other Nigerian clubs playing on the continent this weekend, namely Rivers United, El-Kanemi Warriors and Shooting Stars, to go with the same spirit and achieve victory against their opponents,” Ikpeme said.

NAN reports that the result leaves Spain at the top of Group F with six points and 13-goal difference, while China dropped to second position with four points and plus five goal difference.

While Nigeria occupy third position with a point and minus-two goal difference and New Caledonia are bottom with a minus 16 goal difference.

NAN reports that the Falconets will face New Caledonia by 2 p.m. in their final group match on Sunday, in Lódź,Nigeria is drawn alongside Spain, China and New Caledonia in Group F.

NAN recalls that Falconets have reached the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup final twice, finishing as runners-up in 2010 and 2014 editions.

The 2026 edition commenced on Sept. 5 and is expected to end on Sept. 27 in Poland. (NAN)