Analysis: Falconets Have What it takes To Win the Gold in France

FALCONETS HAVE THE TALENT AND DEPTH TO GO ALL THE WAY. My analysis on the Falconets team going to France By Olayinka Olawole Here I take a look at the Nigerian U20 Women Football team to the France 2018 FIFA U20 Women World Cup. The Falconets will play against the German side in their first game of the tournament in France, an encounter that comes with a lot of history. The Falconets have lost twice to the "Die Nationalef" both in the finals of the 2010 and 2014 edition and would want to start well against a very familiar foe. Danjuma Christopher who took the over the helm from Peter Devdebo has given the squad a fresh outlook picking some of the best legs around and no doubt should have a positive campaign in France. I hope to be there to give my full support to the team. At this juncture, in my own view, I must humbly notify that the defence line seem to be the weakest part of the team and Danjuma will be fully aware of what his team's weakness will be and is sure of having a plan B in France. The goalkeeping department is so palpable and predictable and i have no doubt that they are the best set of goalkeepers we have at this level. Edo Queens Goalkeeper, Chindinma Okeke is experienced and has kept at the U-17 and U-20 FIFA Women World Cup in the past at Costa Rica and Paupa New Guinea respectively. Rita Akarekor was at the Nation's Cup in Cameroon and is one of the best goalkeepers in the country. Nnadozie Chiamaka has grown so fast, from being the number one goalkeeper at the FIFA U-17 Women World Cup in Jordan two years ago, the young goalkeeper has surprisingly risen up to be one of the reliable hands in the Super Falcons set up and was in goal when the French Women Team recently pummeled the Super Falcons in a friendly some months ago. As earlier noted, the defence seem to be the weakest link of this squad and alot need to be done before our first game against Germany on the 6th of August, as it will be put to a stern test by the 3 time Champions of the FIFA U20 Women World Cup. Yes, Famuditi Kemi, Glory Ogbonna and Mary Ologboseere all will be appearing in their second U-20 Women World Cup in France as the trio represented the Falconets in Paupa New Guinea two years ago. Despite this, Danjuma doesn't still have his best option either and have my doubt about this position going into the World Cup. The camaraderie looks so good at the midfield and the coach must be spoilt for choice from the skillful Saheed Adebisi to the mesmerizing Amoo Bashirat, the team possesses a set of midfielders who should be the envy of other teams at the Mundial. Leading the midfield for the Falconets should be Ucheibe Christiana, Basirat Amoo and Igboamalu Chinyere, the forward line of Anam Imo and Rasheedat Ajibade need to be at their clinical best to tuck in the sneaky passes from these trio in France. Apart from the three midfielders mentioned above, Saiki Mary can do well as a holding midfielder and looks good on the ground just like Ngolo Kante, while Adebisi Saheed can increase the Falconets midfield options. Odueke Taibat and Efih Peace are two capable gifted players who will need to fight hard in training to earn a spot in the starting 11 for Nigeria in France. In sheer potency, the Nigerian forwards can match or even better any in France. With an energetic set of attackers like Rasheedat Ajibade, Chindinma Okeke, Anam Imo and Monday Gift, supported by good passers like Amoo Basirat and Ucheibe Christiana , this squad clearly have the gut to go all the way. PREDICTION: This is the Falconets 9th appearance at the mundial and have only crashed out in the first round twice, both in their first and last appearances at the 2002 edition in Canada and in Paupa New Guinea 2016. There are no much chinks in these Nigeria squad. If they can play to their potentials, opponents will have it real tough, but for that, they need to click as a team and take their goalscoring chances when seen. The German team and Chinese teams are no mere pushovers. Taking these teams for granted will make progress tough for the Nigerian side.