Nigeria’s Ambassador to Poland, Ambassador Margareta Mary Obi, has urged the Falconets to put their opening defeat by Spain behind them as they prepare for a crucial FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Group F match against China.
Nigeria lost 2-0 to Spain in their first match of the 2026 tournament on Monday, but Ambassador Mary Obi remained with the team and offered encouragement after watching the game at Stadion Sosnowiec.
Alongside staff from the Nigerian mission, she supported the players during the match before meeting the squad and technical crew afterwards. She told them not to be discouraged by the result and reminded them that they had played good football.
The ambassador also encouraged the Falconets to remain confident and focus fully on their next assignment against China, rather than allowing the defeat by Spain to affect their preparations.
In a further gesture of support, she brought Nigerian food for the players. The gesture helped lift the mood within the camp and offered the squad a taste of home while they continue their campaign in Poland.
Her visit came at an important moment for Nigeria, who must respond quickly to their opening loss. The Falconets, two-time silver-medallists at the tournament, will play at Stadion Sosnowiec again on Thursday evening when they face China.
China go into the match with considerable confidence after opening their campaign with a 5-0 victory over New Caledonia. That result puts them at the top of Group F, ahead of 2022 champions Spain on goal difference.
Nigeria and China have met twice previously at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals.
Their first meeting came in 2006 in Russia, at the tournament in which the competition was renamed the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup after the first two editions had been staged as the U19 event in Canada and Thailand. China won that group-stage match 3-0 at Podmoskovie Stadium.
The teams met again in France in 2018. Nigeria secured a 1-1 draw in Dinan-Lehon after a late own goal by a Chinese defender, with the result sending the Falconets through to the quarter-finals.
Nigeria coach Moses Aduku said on Wednesday night that his side had already moved on from the defeat by Spain and was concentrating on the challenge ahead.
“We have put the match against Spain behind us and focussing totally on the clash with China. The players are ready to come out stronger for the match against China.”
China’s emphatic opening victory means Nigeria face a demanding test, but the support from Ambassador Mary Obi has provided the team with a timely boost before their second appearance at Stadion Sosnowiec.