Falconets of Nigeria could only manage a 1-0 home win over their Senegalese counterparts in the first leg of the third round of the qualifying series for the 2026 U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
Substitute Kindness Ifeanyi was the match winner for the Falconets in the 51st minute, when she powered home a header off a corner by defender Tumininu Adeshina.
The return leg will be played in Dakar in a week.
Nigeria dominated this tie, but failed to translate this dominance into goals as Senegal goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye produced a series of saves to keep them out.
The home team were dealt a massive blow when star striker Janet ‘Semenya’ Akekomowei was forced out in the first half by injury.
The overall winners of the second leg Saturday will advance to final playoffs for the World Cup qualifiers.
