Falconets head coach Moses Adukwu expressed dissatisfaction with his team's performance despite a 2-0 victory over Malawi's U-20 women's team in the first leg of their World Cup qualifier. Goals from Ifeanyi Kindness and an own goal secured the advantage for Nigeria, with the return leg scheduled in Lilongwe. Adukwu admitted the first half lacked coordination and criticized the number of missed scoring opportunities.
He said the scoreline was misleading and could have been 4 or 5-0 given the chances created. However, he did not describe the attackers as disappointing, noting that football often involves missed opportunities. Adukwu predicted Nigeria would score first in the second leg, anticipating Malawi would adopt an attacking approach after playing defensively in Ikenne.
This is Adukwu's first assignment with the Falconets, and qualification hinges on the upcoming away match. He stressed he would not celebrate until qualification was secured. Janet Akerekomwei is recovering from injury but unlikely to feature in Malawi, while Kindness is dealing with muscle pain, though the medical team has ruled out serious concerns.
Moses Adukwu claims not to be excited until qualification is confirmed, yet confidently promises Nigeria will score first in Malawi. He has seen his team win narrowly away before turning dominant at home, as happened against Rwanda and Senegal. If the Falconets fail to score early in Lilongwe, that confidence could quickly shift to pressure. The players believed to be injured may miss the decisive match, testing the squad's depth at a critical moment.
💡 NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
