Falconets battle Mexico in Canada

Nigeria's Falconets will begin their FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
campaign with a Group C opener against Mexico'sEl Tri,in Moncton,
Canada, on Wednesday. The competition began on Tuesday.

Nigeria's other group foes, England and South Korea will engage each
other earlier in the day.

The Falconets have met the Mexicans twice since the inception of the
competition 12 years ago. The first time was in the group stage in
2010 in Germany, when Alina Garciamendez's late goal cancelled out
Ebere Orji's 16th minute opener for a 1-1 stalemate, and then two
years ago, in the quarterfinals, when Desire Oparanozie's lone strike
in extra time dashed Mexican hopes.

Coach Peter Dedevbo will be banking on the huge experience and unity
in his team to brush aside the Mexican challenge in Moncton.

Midfielders Asisat Oshoala and Osarenoma Igbinovia; and defender Ugo
Njoku were part of the Falconets squad that reached the semifinals at
the last edition of the competition in Japan two years ago.

But the majority of the squad is made up of players from the 2012
Flamingoes side: Ebere Okoye, Chiwendu Ihezuo, Jiroro Idike, Halimatu
Ayinde, Sarah Nnodim, Yetunde Adeboyejo and Victoria Aidelomon.

Striker Ihezuo, also played at this year's U-17 Women's World Cup
alongside Uchenna Kanu.

Team captain Patience Okaeme said they have been working hard to
ensure that they go one step further than the 2010 set, by winning the
trophy.

"Our preparations for the tournament have been tough because we've
been training twice a day. That's what we were doing in Nigeria, and
we've carried on here. I'm sure it's going to help us when the
competition starts," the 19-year-old told fifa.com.

"We also know, though, that we made the last four (stage) two years
back. This time we want to go further. We want to win the trophy and
that means more pressure for the team, whether you like it or not."

Okaeme missed the U-17 World Cup two years ago due to injury but now,
she is excited at the prospect of playing in her first ever FIFA
finals.

"I've been waiting a long time for this moment to come. I think I'm
going to have fun in Canada and I'm going to experience a lot of
things here," she said.

The Falconets have attended every edition of the competition but their
best outing was in 2010, when they lost in the final to hosts Germany.