Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team, the Falconets, have landed in Senegal ahead of the second leg of their 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying tie against the Senegalese Lionesses. The crucial return match is set for this Saturday in Thies.
The team touched down in Dakar in high spirits, focused on overturning the tie or maintaining their aggregate advantage after the first leg in Abeokuta. Coach Moses Aduku has reiterated the squad’s determination to secure a positive result and move closer to qualification for the World Cup finals in Poland.
The Falconets enter the second leg with a slender advantage from the first match on home soil, where they took the lead in the tie. The return fixture at Stade Lat-Dior will determine who advances to the final round of African qualification.
Final training sessions are planned before kickoff, with emphasis on tactical discipline and clinical finishing as Nigeria look to capitalise on their experience and pedigree at youth level. The team’s technical crew has worked on fine-tuning strategy ahead of the tough away test.
Senegal, buoyed by home support and their own passion to progress, will pose a stern challenge in front of their supporters. The tie sets up as a keenly contested West African clash with World Cup qualification at stake.
Editorial
Arriving in Senegal for the decisive second leg, the Falconets carry not just a narrow lead but the hopes of thousands of Nigerian football fans who have watched their youth teams excel on the continental stage. Nigeria’s youth women’s sides have a rich history of success, and this tie is another chance for the Falconets to uphold that legacy and earn another World Cup berth.
The challenge of playing away in Thies tests both tactical acumen and mental resilience, as hostile atmospheres can influence the flow of play. The Falconets’ ability to manage pressure while executing their game plan will be crucial to their chances of progressing.
For Nigerian football followers, this stage of qualification showcases the depth of talent in the country’s women’s game. Successful navigation of this tie could unlock a pathway to global exposure in Poland, reinforcing Nigeria’s reputation as a fertile breeding ground for women’s football talent.
Did You Know?
- The Falconets have arrived in Dakar, Senegal, for the second leg of their 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying tie.
- Nigeria hold a narrow advantage from the first leg played in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
- The return match is scheduled for Saturday at Stade Lat-Dior in Thies, Senegal.
- Coach Moses Aduku has stressed tactical focus and discipline ahead of the crucial away fixture.
- Winners on aggregate will advance to the final round of African qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
