Head coach of Nigeria’s U20 women’s national team, Moses Aduku, has revealed the unexpected journey and challenges that inspired him to become a women’s football coach.
Speaking on Brila FM’s “No Holds Barred” show hosted by former Super Eagles defender, Ifeanyi Udeze, Aduku opened up about his transition from playing football to coaching, and why he stayed in the women’s game despite a difficult start.
The Falconets recently thrashed Rwanda 4–0 in Ibadan, sealing a 5–0 aggregate win to qualify for the next round of the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, where they will face Senegal.
From Recommendation to Reality – Moses Aduku’ Journey
Coach Aduku narrated the origin of his coaching career on the exclusive interview with Brila.net. He explained that coaching women’s football was not part of his original plan.
“Honestly, if I tell you, one particular thing inspired me in a larger line, because obviously, before I started to play, I couldn’t coach women but along the line, when I leave the game, man, don’t come and leave all those bad tactics when I come into the game,” Aduku said.
Somebody just recommend me to be a coach, a female team in Bayelsa.”
“When they told me to come to handle the team, I just tell myself that men and women are the same, not just that the gender is different, but at least the techniques for football, everything are the same.”
“At First Year, I Won’t Run Back” – Moses Aduku
Aduku confessed that his early days in women’s coaching were almost overwhelming, as he struggled to adapt to the emotional dynamics of working with female players.
“When I entered the team at the first year, I won’t run back because I’ve been teaching as the team because, my brother, I will not be the same like that,” he admitted.
“You know, women, they get this… at our wife’s house, when something does happens, we just reverse.”
“So if you know how to handle emotional things, you know how to handle their emotional side, it will be difficult for you to coach them as a man.”
He added that this forced him to learn patience and emotional intelligence, qualities that later shaped his success as a coach.
Aduku on Learning the Art of Managing Women
Over time, Aduku developed strategies to effectively manage female players both on and off the pitch.
“You must get good technique, see the players like they’re children from house, you have to like them the same way, one another, because women are jealous always,” he said.
“If you favour only one player, the others will be jealous. So I learn over time, later in the job, how to manage the female players because I don’t get it easy.”
He recalled a particular player, Titilayo, whose determination made a lasting impact on him.
“I’ll never forget that girl, her name is Titilayo. I asked the girl personally if she can play for me like this in a match because it was during training.”
“And I tell you the truth, when I take her for matches, she plays like a man,” he said proudly.
National Team Role: A Bigger Challenge
Aduku also compared the differences between coaching club sides and national teams, noting that national team coaching is more demanding due to limited preparation time.
“National team is more difficult because national team you get a short period to prepare a team to play,” he explained.
“Club side, if you sign two years contract, even if the first year not go well, you still get another year to build your team again.”
“In the national team, you get a short period to build up your team, to qualify the team and to also win the competition proper.”
Moses Aduku, however believes he and his players are prepared to face Senegal in the next round.
“Senegal is a good side, but notwithstanding, if we can put our hearts together, we will play them well and come out on top,” he assured.
U20 WWC Qualifiers: Nigeria vs Senegal
The Falconets’ clash with Senegal is scheduled for February 2026, and Aduku is determined to build a “formidable team” capable of sealing World Cup qualification.
“We don’t have options or excuses. We need to just win that,” he said firmly.
