Nigeria’s Falconets edged closer to another FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup appearance after grinding out a 1-0 win over Senegal in the first leg of their final qualifying phase in Abekuta, footynaija.com reports.
The seven-time African champions were made to work hard at the MKO Abiola Stadium, where a well-drilled Senegal side defended in numbers and disrupted Nigeria’s usual attacking rhythm. Both teams had arrived full of confidence after emphatic earlier rounds, but the contest quickly developed into a tense tactical battle rather than a free-flowing encounter.
Nigeria dominated possession but found space hard to come by, with Senegal sitting deep and closing passing lanes effectively. Clear chances were rare in the opening half, and the hosts suffered a blow shortly before the break when leading scorer Janet Akekoromowei Seimeyeha was forced off on a stretcher after sustaining an injury.
The breakthrough came soon after the interval following a change from the Nigerian bench. Introduced moments earlier, Chinaza Kindness made an immediate impact, meeting Tumininu Adeshina’s corner with a powerful header that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
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GOAAAAL! Chinaza Kindness connected with a well taken corner to give the Falconets the lead in Abeokuta.
Nigeria 🇳🇬 |1-0| Senegal 🇸🇳 #54footballx pic.twitter.com/PL9ik8v4iB
— Official54fx (@54footballx) February 7, 2026
The goal lifted the tempo of the match, with the Falconets pushing for a second to strengthen their advantage. Senegal, however, refused to fold and began to press higher up the pitch in search of an equaliser, but Nigeria’s defence remained organised and composed under pressure.
Although further goals proved elusive, the narrow victory places the Falconets in a strong position ahead of the return leg in Thiès on 14 February.
Nigeria, who have qualified for every edition of the U20 Women’s World Cup and reached the final twice, now need only avoid defeat in Senegal to continue their remarkable record.
