President of the the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari has reminded players of the U-20 Women national team, the Falconets on the need to be calm when they confront Japan for the bronze in today’s third place match of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup which ends today.

He also reasoned that Japan, being the host side would enjoy the support of the crowd but nevertheless urged the team not to be intimidated.

Speaking over the phone from Nigeria, Maigari praised the girls for making an impressionable statement due to their splendid run in the competition.

”Sixteen teams started this competition and only four are left of which you are part of. Nobody needs to be told that it is not a child’s play to get this far and l must let you know that l am extremely proud of all of you.

”Now that you are playing for bronze, l want to say that you do not have to be afraid of your opponents because they are the host team. You can do it but to make it happen, you need to remain focused and play as a team,” Maigari said.

Today’s showdown between Japan and Nigeria will be the third of such for both sides with the African representatives having a slightly better record. Nigeria won 2-1 in the first round in 2010 after the pair’s first meeting had ended 1-1 in 2002.

Statistics also reveal that this is the first match to involve a host team as well as the first one to feature an Africa side.

Meanwhile Football governing body, FIFA has appointed USA’s Domka Magaret as the centre referee for the encounter.