Head coach of Nigeria’s U20 women’s national team, Moses Aduku, has spoken about the Falconets chances of overcoming Senegal in the next round of the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, following their advantage aggregate victory over Rwanda.
The Falconets defeated Rwanda 1–0 away in Kigali before sealing the qualification with a 4–0 win in Ibadan, setting up a crunch tie against Senegal.
Aduku appeared on Brila FM’s No Holds Barred Show with former Super Eagles star Ifeanyi Udeze, where he shared personal coaching insights and his plans for the team.
‘Adapting to Women’s Football Was Tough at First’ – Moses Aduku
Aduku recounted how his journey into women’s football began unexpectedly after his playing career.
“Honestly, if I tell you, one particular thing inspired me in a larger line,” he said.
“Before I started to play, I couldn’t coach women, but along the line, when I leave the game, somebody just recommend me to be a coach of a female 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 are the same.”
However, he admitted that it wasn’t smooth sailing at first.
“My brother, at the first year, I won run back, because I’ve been teaching at the team, because my brother, I will not be the same like that.”
“You know, women get this emotional side. If you no sabi handle am, it go hard you as a man to coach them,” he said.
He explained that success with female players requires patience, fairness, and emotional intelligence:
“You must get good technique, see the players like they’re children from house, and love them the same way, because women are jealous always.”
“If you show love to only one, the others will be jealous. I learn over time how to manage them.”
‘Senegal is Tough, But We’re Ready’ – Falconets Coach
Looking ahead to the Falconets’ next opponents, Aduku made it clear that Senegal would be a different challenge from Rwanda.
“I watched Senegal play. They are a good side. They drew 0-0 at home and won 2-0 away.”
“Notwithstanding, I think that if we can put our heads together, we will play them well and come out on top,” he said.
He added that the team will make tactical adjustments without disrupting their core:
“If I see one or two, three good players, we will take and change them to try to build up the ones that we don’t get already.”
“We don’t want to scatter everybody. We need to just win that. We don’t get excuses.”
World Cup Ticket the Ultimate Goal
Aduku described the magnitude of the task ahead as Nigeria seeks qualification for the 2026 U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
“This is one of the big issues. They don’t give me World Cup ticket. It will be a waste of my time telling Nigeria not to go for a World Cup,” he declared.
“I just have a very big task in my hands to make sure that myself and my teammates can put our heads together to make sure that we play the best way possible for Nigeria to beat Senegal.”
The Falconets will face Senegal in February 2026, with the coach expected to fine-tune his squad and tactics ahead of the decisive two-legged tie.
