Visa Hurdle Forces Falconets to Make Two Squad Changes
Nigeria’s Falconets have replaced captain Joy Igbokwe and midfielder Faridat Abdulwahab after the pair failed to obtain visas for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland. The duo could not travel with the team on Monday because of unresolved visa issues, leading the Nigeria Football Federation to draft in Vivian Kachi and Alaba Olabiyi as replacements. The Falconets arrived in Poland on Tuesday with 20 players and held their first training session the following day at Stadion Miejski, Fair Play Arena. Striker Janet Akekoromowei is also facing uncertainty after reports that her club, Benfica, has yet to release her for the tournament. The former Bayelsa Queens player sustained a serious injury during the qualifiers in February, with her rehabilitation reportedly supported by the Portuguese club.
Nigeria will play two friendly matches as part of its final preparations, taking on hosts Poland on August 28 and South Korea on September 1. The Falconets are drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia, with their group matches scheduled for September 7, 10 and 13 respectively. Nigeria, who finished runners-up at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2010 and 2014, will be hoping to go a step further in Poland and secure their first title in the competition.
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