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Nigeria’s Falconets are set to battle England on Thursday in the Round of 16 of the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, with a quarter-final ticket at stake.

The Nigerian side entered the knockout stage as Africa’s sole surviving representative after Tanzania, Ghana and the Benin Republic were knocked out of the tournament.

Moses Aduku’s team secured their place in the last 16 following a commanding 10-1 victory over New Caledonia in their final Group F match at the weekend.

The Falconets ended the group stage in second place with four points from three games, having suffered defeat to Spain, played a draw against China and recorded a big win over New Caledonia.

Nigeria will meet England at Bielsko-Biała on Thursday afternoon in the Round of 16 encounter.

The Young Lionesses also finished second in their group, ending behind Brazil in Group B while recording the same four points as Canada and matching them in goal difference and goals scored.

Nigeria and England last faced each other at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada, where the Falconets secured a 2-1 victory in a Group C encounter.

Loveth Ayila and Asisat Oshoala scored for Nigeria in that meeting.

England now stands between the Falconets and a place in the quarter-finals as Nigeria carries Africa’s remaining hopes in the competition.

Lagos-based journalist Femi Fabunmi believes Nigeria has a realistic opportunity to defeat England and reach the last eight, pointing to the team’s improvement after its opening defeat to Spain.

He, however, stressed that Aduku’s side would need to address weaknesses in goalkeeping and strengthen its defensive organisation before facing the Young Lionesses.

“The Falconets improved by every game after their shambolic display against Spain in the group opener; they have improved thereafter,” Fabunmi said.

“However, England will be another litmus test for them. Do they stand a chance? Yes, they do, but they need to improve in the goalkeeping department and tighten their defence.

“If this is done, then I can boldly say that the Falconets will make it to the quarter-final,” he said.

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