Coach Peter Dedevbo insists that his U-20 women national team will not be starting as underdogs for whatever reason when the 8th FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup starts in Papua New Guinea in November this year.

“I don’t see why we need to fear any team. Rather, those teams should be the ones to be scared. Our pedigree at this level is intimidating.

“However, we would not be under-rating any of Spain, Canada or Japan. Our principle, as always, would be to take it one match at a time and focus on our objective of doing Nigeria proud.”

Falconets pose for photo against Basetsana in Tembisa, Makhulong Stadium in the return leg qualifying fixture for Papua New Guinea 2016. they Won 1-0 to qualify 3-1 on aggregate.

Falconets pose for photo against Basetsana in Tembisa, Makhulong Stadium in the final round second leg qualifying fixture for Papua New Guinea 2016. They Won 1-0 to qualify 3-1 on aggregate.

Dedevbo was also in charge when the Falconets cruised elegantly into the final of the last competition in Canada, losing to Germany only after extra time.

Thursday’s draw at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich threw the Nigeria U-20 girls into Group B, against known foes Canada and Japan, and relatively unfamiliar Spain.

At the inaugural edition in Canada 14 years ago, when the tournament was known as U-19 World Cup, Nigeria and and Japan battled to a 1-1 draw in the group stage, and eight years later, in Germany, the Falconets edged the Asians 2-1 in another group stage match.