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By Joe APU
Nigeria’s Falconets secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Senegal in the first leg of their third-round qualifier for the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, with substitute Kindness Ifeanyi’s second-half header proving decisive.
Despite dominating large spells of the encounter and creating a flurry of chances, the two-time World Cup silver medallists had only Ifeanyi’s 51st-minute effort to show for their superiority as the tie remains finely balanced ahead of the return leg in Dakar next week.
Ifeanyi rose highest to power home a well-delivered corner kick from defender Tumininu Adeshina six minutes after the restart, breaking the deadlock in a match the Falconets largely controlled.
Nigeria suffered an early setback when leading striker Janet Akekoromowei was forced off in the first half due to injury. However, Shakirat Moshood and Taiwo Afolabi stepped up to orchestrate several attacking moves that repeatedly unsettled the Senegalese defence.
The Falconets signalled their intent in the 12th minute when Moshood dribbled past two defenders, but her cross was blocked and cleared. Senegal responded eight minutes later as Sokhna Nogaye capitalised on a brief lapse in Nigeria’s defence, only for goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma to react swiftly and deny the effort.
Khady Thiandoume became the first player cautioned in the 25th minute for a reckless challenge on Akekoromowei. Nigeria continued to press, and Moshood came close in the 30th minute with a point-blank effort that forced a fine save from Senegal goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye. A promising link-up between Moshood and Akekoromowei in the 35th minute also ended with a corner after a timely defensive intervention.
After taking the lead early in the second half, Nigeria pushed for a cushion. Ifeanyi nearly doubled her tally in the 66th minute, but Ndiaye stretched to push her effort away. Moshood was again denied from close range in the 73rd minute, while Adeshina struck the crossbar directly from a corner three minutes later.
The Falconets maintained relentless pressure, with a late free kick sailing just over the bar as Senegal struggled to cope with Nigeria’s high pressing game.
Both teams will meet again in Dakar on Saturday, with the aggregate winner advancing to the final round of the qualification series for the tournament in Poland.
