A cross-section of Abuja-based football coaches has urged the Falconets to be more clinical in front of goal to get past Venezuela in their last group match of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.

Nigeria’s women’s under-20 national football team, the Falconets, failed to convert their goal-scoring chances in their 3-1 loss to Germany on Thursday in Colombia.

The team will play Venezuela on Saturday in their last group game to try and secure qualification for the knockout stage.

The football coaches told journalists in separate interviews on Friday that the inability of the team to convert their chances and the defensive formation contributed to their loss to their more experienced European counterparts.

Phillip Attah, a football coach, said that Falconers gaffer Christopher Danjuma has tried to bring out the potential of his talented girls, but it’s just not clicking yet.

“In spite of employing a counter-attacking strategy against Germany, the Falconets were unable to secure a win.

“However, it’s worth noting that the team’s performance against Germany showed promise, and they will need to build on that momentum to secure a win against Venezuela on Saturday.

“I wish them the best of luck,” he said.

Joyce Agubata, a football coach, said that the team’s counter-attacking strategy against Germany created several opportunities, but poor finishing and Germany’s imposing goalkeeper, Rebecca Adamczyk, made it difficult for them to score.

“ The Falconets’ destiny is still in their hands, and a win against Venezuela will take Nigeria’s point tally to six, which will certainly be enough to make it past the group stages.

“ In spite of their loss to Germany, they can still advance to the knockout stages due to the tournament’s new 24-team format.

“The Falcons need to tighten up their defence; they have a good chance of securing a win against Venezuela and advancing,” she said.

Hassana Adamu, a grassroots coach, said that the team’s 3-1 loss to Germany has left them with work to do in their final group match.

“ In spite of their best efforts, the Falconets were unable to capitalise on their scoring chances, leading to their defeat.

“ The team will need to regroup and come up with a new strategy in order to advance in the tournament.

“ I believe the Falconets coaching crew is disappointed with the team’s performance against Germany, particularly with their formation and goal-scoring strategies.

“To beat Venezuela, they will need to improve their finishing skills, as they had multiple opportunities to score against Germany but only converted one,” she said.

Others are of the opinion that the Falconets’ performance against Germany showed promise, and they will need to build on that momentum to secure a win in their next match against Venezuela.

Nigeria’s women’s under-20 national football team will play Venezuela on Saturday by 1:00 p.m. at the Estadio Pascual Guerrero in Cali, Colombia.

(NAN)