Nigeria’s U-20 ladies’s nationwide group, the Falconets, claimed a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Senegal within the first leg of their 2026 FIFA U-20 Ladies’s World Cup third-round qualifier, due to a decisive second-half strike from substitute Kindness Ifeanyi.
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The encounter was keenly contested from the opening exchanges, with Nigeria exhibiting early intent. Kafayat Mafisere registered the primary shot on track within the 18th minute, whereas Shakirat Moshood got here agonisingly shut halfway by means of the primary half, racing by means of on purpose after a pleasant backheel go from Janet Akekoromowei, solely to overlook the goal.
Nigeria had been pressured into an early change within the forty second minute when Akekoromowei, the Bayelsa Queens ahead, was withdrawn by means of damage and changed by Folajomi Alaba. Regardless of the disruption, the Falconets remained composed and disciplined going into the break.
The turning level arrived shortly after the restart. Head coach Moses Aduku’s tactical changes paid fast dividends as substitutes Kindness Ifeanyi and Favour Nkwocha had been launched.
Simply minutes later, Nkwocha delivered a teasing nook kick which Ifeanyi rose to satisfy, powering a header into the web to provide Nigeria the lead within the fiftieth minute.
Nigeria continued to press for a second purpose, with Moshood once more threatening and Nkwocha rattling the crossbar straight from a nook within the seventy fifth minute. Senegal responded with a number of substitutions looking for an equaliser however had been saved at bay by a resolute Falconets defence.
The slender win provides Nigeria a helpful benefit heading into the second leg, although the tie stays finely poised as each side look forward to the decisive return fixture.
