Nigeria’s Falconets edged Senegal 1–0 on Saturday to claim a narrow first-leg lead in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Both sides displayed strong intent in the opening half, but clear chances were scarce, and the teams went into the break deadlocked at 0–0.
The breakthrough came shortly after the restart when substitute Kindness Ifeanyi nodded in from a corner kick in the 50th minute to put Nigeria ahead.
Ifeanyi nearly added a second goal in the 66th minute, but the Senegal goalkeeper produced a full-stretch save to deny her.
The Falconets protected their advantage with organised defending and composed possession, while head coach Moses Aduku’s second-half changes helped the team maintain control and close out the match.
Nigeria suffered a setback in the first half when striker Janet Akokororowei was forced off with an injury.
Ifeanyi’s decisive contribution earned her the player-of-the-match award.
The second leg will take place on February 14 in Senegal, where Nigeria will aim to build on their slim advantage and book a place in the next round.
