Nigeria’s Falconets took a small but vital step towards qualification for the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Senegal in Abuja, Soccernet.ng reports.
Playing in front of home fans at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, the seven-time African champions were forced into a tough contest against a disciplined Senegalese side that arrived full of confidence following an emphatic previous round.
Both teams came into the tie after dominant second-round performances, Nigeria brushing aside Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate while Senegal swept past Algeria with a 6-0 overall scoreline, setting the stage for a fierce West African showdown.
Despite lining up in an attacking shape, Falconets coach Moses Aduku saw his side struggle to break down Senegal’s compact defence in a cagey first half. The visitors sat deep, closed spaces quickly and allowed few clear chances.
Nigeria’s evening took a worrying turn just before the break when leading scorer Janet Akekoromowei Seimeyeha was stretchered off and taken straight into an ambulance after picking up an injury.
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Kindness delivers as Falconets hold firm
The breakthrough finally arrived shortly after the restart following a tactical change from the Nigerian bench.
Coach Moses Aduku introduced Ifeanyi in the 49th minute and, within moments, the Falconets made it count. From Tumininu Adeshina’s corner, substitute Chinaza Kindness rose highest to power a header into the net, sending the home crowd into celebration.
Buoyed by the goal, Nigeria pushed to extend their advantage but lacked the final touch to add a second.
Senegal also grew braver as the match wore on, searching for an equaliser, yet found the Falconets’ back line difficult to breach.
The slim victory now gives Nigeria the upper hand heading into the second leg on Saturday, 14 February, at the Stade Lat-Dior in Thiès.
The Falconets, who have featured at every edition of the U20 Women’s World Cup and finished runners-up in 2010 and 2014, are aiming to maintain their perfect qualification record.
Senegal, meanwhile, are still chasing a maiden appearance at the global tournament and must overturn the deficit on home soil to keep that dream alive.
Avoiding defeat in Thiès next week will be enough to send Nigeria into the final qualifying round.
