Nigeria’s U20 Women’s team, the Falconets, claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Senegal in the first leg of the third-round qualifiers for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
The decisive moment came in the 51st minute when substitute Kindness Ifeanyi rose to meet a corner from defender Tumininu Adeshina and powered a header into the net, giving Nigeria the advantage ahead of next week’s return leg in Dakar.
The Falconets dominated large portions of the match, creating numerous chances, though finishing proved a challenge. Star striker Janet Akekoromowei was forced off early with an injury, but teammates Shakirat Moshood and Taiwo Afolabi combined effectively, orchestrating several threatening moves.
Nigeria’s first notable chance came in the 12th minute when Moshood danced past two defenders, only to have her cross blocked and cleared by the Senegalese defense. Senegal responded shortly after through Sokhna Nogaye, but goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma was quick off her line to make the save. The game’s first caution occurred in the 25th minute when Khady Thiandoume was booked for a reckless challenge on Akekoromowei.
The Falconets continued to press, with Moshood nearly scoring from close range in the 30th and 35th minutes, but the Senegalese defense held firm, forcing corners. After halftime, Nigeria finally broke the deadlock through Ifeanyi’s well-placed header, and she came close to a second goal in the 66th minute, only for Senegal goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye to deny her.
Nigeria kept up the intensity, testing the Senegalese defense with a free kick just over the bar and Moshood again blocked from close range. Adeshina rattled the crossbar from a corner in the 76th minute, keeping the scoreline tight.
Both sides will meet again in Dakar on Saturday for the return leg, with the winner advancing to the final round of World Cup qualification.
