Nigeria’s U-20 Coach Invites League MVP Janet Akekoromowei Ahead 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Nigeria women’s football league most valuable player Janet Akekoromowei popularly called “S9” on Thursday stormed the Nigeria U-20 camp ahead of the FIFA Under 20 World Cup qualifying game.

Janet, who is one of the few Nigerian young stars at the age of 18 who has played at all the national team levels for Nigeria women’s team from U-17 WAFU Nations Cup in 2024, U-20 World Cup in Columbia and Super Falcons international friendly against Algeria.

Just last year, she represented Nigeria at the U-20 level again featuring in qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, including scoring against Rwanda.

At club level, she gained prominence with Nasarawa Amazons, where she was nicknamed “S9” due to her goal-scoring prowess.

In July 2025, she officially moved to Bayelsa Queens Football Club.

Major Awards: Following the 2024/25 season, she was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Attacker of the Season by the Naija Women Football Awards after finishing as the second-highest goal scorer in the league.

Nigeria’s Head coach of the U- 20 team expressed happiness having the arrival of Janet in Nigeria’s camp.

“We are excited janet is back with us, we all know what she is capable of doing with both feet and with other players on ground we shall excel in the upcoming games” said coach Aduku.

The head coach of Nigeria’s women’s under-20 national team, Moses Aduku further stressed that the Falconets are targeting a qualification slot for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

“We are happy to be back and to start preparation for the World Cup qualifier against Senegal. We have 17 players in camp. By tomorrow, we are expecting everybody to be in camp,” the coach said.

Since the tournament’s inception in 2002, Nigeria has never missed an edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

This makes them one of the few countries to participate in every edition, with their best finishes being runners-up in 2010 and 2014.

​The full list of 24 participating countries for the World Cup—scheduled for September 5–27, 2026—is yet to be confirmed as qualifiers are ongoing.

However, host nation Poland, along with Spain, England, France, Italy, Portugal, the USA, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and New Caledonia, have already secured their spots.