The Nigeria Football Federation has said that the weather at the Falconets team’s camp in Port Moresby would not pose any challenges to them.
The Nigerian women team will test its might in their Group alongside Spain, Canada and Japan in the U-20 Women World Cup from November 13.
A statement by the NFF’s spokesperson Ademola Olajire, which gave the assurance, said the the weather in Port Moresby, the largest city on the shores of the tiny country of Papua New Guinea could be likened to what they experience at home.
It said that prior to their arrival, the players had nursed reservations about the weather, a fear occasioned by the days it took to get to the host country.
It said: “Among themselves, the girls have continued to talk about the weather that they have unanimously agreed is equivalent to the one back home in Nigeria.
“One of the players, Ogechi Ukwuoma, on Thursday morning exclaimed that she now appreciated better Coach Peter Dedevbo’s training schedule while in camp in Abuja.
“I now understand why the coach always insisted that we train earlier in the afternoon in Nigeria. The weather here is comparable to the one we had in Abuja.”
It said a member of the Local Organising Committee, Brian, told them that Papua New Guinea experiences only rainy and dry seasons every year.
It also said: “Presently, the weather situation is hot and the team Doctor, Jane Orizu, has advised the players to always drink enough water to avoid dehydration.”
It added that construction workers in Papua New Guinea were working round the clock to ensure that Nigeria’s World Cup venue, Bava Park is in top shape to welcome football hostilities on November 13.
Nigeria and Japan will play their Group B opening match at the Bava Park Stadium located in the Bisini Sports Precinct, Port Moresby by 7pm local time.
It also stated: “As at Wednesday evening, a group of construction workers were seen at the 5,000 capacity mini-stadium working at frantic pace to ensure that the venue is perfectly in order to welcome the teams on Sunday.
“Some of the workers on the site who sneaked out to watch the Falconets train at the Stadium’s training pitch disclosed that major works have been completed.
“They assured that the construction crew seen on site was only putting finishing touches to the Stadium.”
The Falconets are presently camped in coastal city of Port Moresby in preparation to their Group B campaign in the U-20 Women World Cup.
Football U-20 Women World Cup: Falconets happy with Papua New Guinea weather —...
