EXCLUSIVE: Falconets’ Rising Striker Janet Akekoromowei to Miss Spain Opener at U-20 World Cup

Nigeria’s Falconets will be without rising striker Janet Akekoromowei when they face Spain in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, AdemolaSports can exclusively report.

Akekoromowei is currently in Portugal and is expected to return to Poland on September 9, meaning she will miss Nigeria’s opening Group F fixture against Spain on September 7.

The Benfica forward’s delayed return is understood to be connected to documentation she is completing in Portugal relating to her continued stay in the country and with Benfica. The exact nature of the documentation is not being disclosed, but the process has affected the timing of Akekoromowei’s return to the Falconets. The forward remains part of Nigeria’s World Cup plans and is expected to join her teammates in Poland once the documentation process has been completed.

Akekoromowei’s route to Poland

Akekoromowei’s journey to Poland for the U20 World Cup has been somewhat different from that of most of her Falconets teammates.

Having already joined Benfica in Portugal, the 18-year-old travelled from Portugal to Poland ahead of the tournament.

However, she did not join the Falconets squad before returning to Portugal to attend to the documentation process.

Her expected return to Poland on September 9 means she will arrive after Nigeria’s opening game against Spain.

The circumstances should not be interpreted as the player choosing to miss the opening match. Rather, her return has been affected by an administrative process that she needs to complete in Portugal.

A difficult year for the rising striker

The latest development comes after a challenging period in Akekoromowei’s young career.

The forward suffered an injury during Nigeria’s U-20 World Cup qualifying campaign against Senegal in February.

She was forced off during the first leg in Abeokuta, interrupting what had been an impressive period in her development.

The injury also came around an important transition in her career as she was progressing towards a move to Europe.

After rehabilitation and her return to contention, Akekoromowei eventually completed her move to Portuguese club Benfica.

Her current presence in Portugal is therefore also part of the broader administrative process surrounding her continued stay with the club.

From NWFL MVP to Benfica

Akekoromowei has enjoyed a rapid rise through Nigerian women’s football.

She came through the Asisat Oshoala Academy before making her mark in the Nigeria Women’s Football League with Nasarawa Amazons and Bayelsa Queens.

During the 2024/25 NWFL season, she scored 13 goals in 19 appearances and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.

Her performances attracted attention from abroad and eventually led to her move to Benfica in 2026.

The striker also has previous FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup experience, having represented Nigeria at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.

Her experience at the youth international level, combined with her domestic league performances and move to European football, makes her one of the promising young attacking players in the Falconets setup.

Spain comes too early

Nigeria will begin their World Cup campaign against Spain on September 7.

With Akekoromowei expected to remain in Portugal until September 9, she will not be available for the opening fixture.

Her next potential opportunity could come against China PR on September 10, although her involvement will ultimately depend on Aduku’s selection and her integration back into the squad.

For Nigeria, the immediate task is to prepare for Spain without one of their attacking options while ensuring Akekoromowei can seamlessly rejoin the team when she arrives in Poland.

More availability challenges for the Falconets

Akekoromowei’s delayed arrival adds to the player-availability challenges Nigeria have experienced during their preparations for the tournament.

Captain Joy Igbokwe and midfielder Faridat Abdulwahab were affected by visa issues and were unable to join the squad for the World Cup.

Sandra John was also among the players affected by the visa situation, leading to further changes to Nigeria’s preparations.

Other players who featured during the qualifying campaign, including Kindness Ifeanyi, Shakirat Moshood, Taiwo Afolabi and Chiamaka Ezekuwugo, are also not part of Nigeria’s World Cup squad.

The changes have required Aduku and his technical team to adjust their preparations as the Falconets target a strong start in Poland.

A player Nigeria will want back

Akekoromowei’s absence against Spain represents a loss of another attacking option for Nigeria, but her situation should be viewed in context.

The forward has already navigated an injury, returned to football, earned recognition in the NWFL and completed a move to European football.

She is now dealing with documentation connected to her continued stay in Portugal before returning to her national team duties.

Her journey from the Asisat Oshoala Academy to the NWFL, where she became an MVP, and ultimately to Benfica has been one of rapid progression.

Nigeria will therefore hope to have her available for the remainder of the group stage.

Falconets’ World Cup fixtures

🇪🇸 Spain U-20 vs Nigeria U-20 🇳🇬
September 7, 2026

🇨🇳 China PR U-20 vs Nigeria U-20 🇳🇬
September 10, 2026

🇳🇬 Nigeria U-20 vs New Caledonia U-20 🇳🇨
September 13, 2026

The Falconets are also scheduled to face South Korea in their final warm-up preparations after defeating tournament hosts Poland 1-0.

Akekoromowei expected to join Falconets on September 9

For Akekoromowei, the immediate priority is completing the necessary documentation in Portugal before returning to national team duty.

She is expected to travel back to Poland on September 9 and join the Falconets two days after Nigeria’s opening match against Spain.

While the timing means she will miss the opener, it does not end her World Cup campaign.

If the process goes according to plan, Akekoromowei could still feature in Nigeria’s remaining group-stage matches and potentially play a role in the knockout rounds.

For now, the Falconets must begin their campaign without one of their promising young forwards, while Akekoromowei completes the administrative process in Portugal before rejoining her teammates in Poland.