Adukwu vows improvement as Falconets chase W’Cup ticket in Lilongwe
Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, will depart for Lilongwe tomorrow for the decisive second leg of their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Malawi, carrying a 2-0 first-leg
Nigeria's U-20 women's team, the Falconets, will depart for Lilongwe tomorrow for the decisive second leg of their FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup qualifier against Malawi, carrying a 2-0 first-leg advantage and a firm resolve to seal qualification.
The Falconets built that lead at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne last weekend, where Malawi conceded an own goal early in the second half before Kindness Chinaza Ifeanyi added a second moments later.
Head coach Moses Adukwu acknowledged that while the result was important, the performance left room for improvement.
"We are glad we won but it was not convincing because we lost a lot of scoring chances. We have decided to correct our mistakes and forge ahead," he said.
Despite confident talk from the Malawians about overturning the deficit, Adukwu remains focused on the job rather than the noise.
"Before the first leg, the Malawians have been talking tough. We don't like boasting because it is the 90 minutes that will decide it in Malawi," he said.
The coach confirmed the team's travel plans and objective.
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"We are hopefully leaving for Malawi on Tuesday and we have resolved to pick the World Cup ticket," Adukwu added.
Team captain Joy Igbokwe echoed the coach's sentiments, assuring Nigerians the team would improve on its first-leg display.
"It was a very good competitive game. We played very well but we lost some chances. I believe we are working on those lapses and in the return leg there will be a difference," she said.
Igbokwe also struck a respectful but confident note ahead of Saturday's clash. In
"I won't say they pose any threat because we do not underrate any team. We shall improve on the first-leg performance in Lilongwe," she added.
The winner over two legs will qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
