Nigeria’s Falconets receive warm welcome in Bogota ahead of FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup

On Sunday evening, the vibrant and enthusiastic crowd in Bogota, Colombia, gave a warm welcome to Nigeria’s U20 women’s football team, the Falconets, who are two-time silver medallists in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

The team arrived at El Dorado International Airport after a grueling 13-hour flight from Istanbul, greeted by traditional dancers, flag-waving supporters, and members of the Local Organizing Committee.

Despite their fatigue, the Falconets were deeply impressed by the colorful reception and expressed their gratitude to the diverse group of well-wishers.

Following a light training session on Monday to recover from jetlag, the Nigerian team is gearing up for intensive preparations to compete fiercely for the trophy.

Coach Christopher Musa Danjuma shared with local journalists that the Falconets are highly motivated and determined to secure victory, building on their impressive history of two final-match appearances, a semi-final spot, and multiple quarter-final finishes in the tournament’s 22-year history.

“We have the mandate and support of the Government and people of Nigeria to come here and give it our best fight-and-push. Our Sports Minister reminded us of the fact that Nigeria finished second in 2010 and 2014, and reached the semi finals in 2012. He charged us to come back with the trophy this time, and that is our objective.”

The Falconets’ final phase of preparation for the 23-day championship will include tough tests against Australia and Mexico.

They go up against the Australians on Friday, 23rd August, and then confront the Mexicans three days later.

The girls from Mexico will be featuring in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup for the 10th time, having missed one previous championship, while Nigeria is one of only four countries (the others being USA, Brazil and Germany) to have played in every final tournament since the competition was launched as an U19 event in Canada in 2002.

With the competition having only this year been upgraded to a 24-nation-finals, nearly half of the finalists are debutants.

These are Austria, Chile, Chinese Taipei, Denmark, Fiji, Haiti, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Thailand, Cameroon and Morocco.

FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024

GROUP A: Colombia, Australia, Cameroon, Mexico

GROUP B: France, Canada, Brazil, Fiji

GROUP C: Spain, USA,

Paraguay, Morocco