FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers: Falconets Gear Up For Senegal Clash

Head Coach Moses Aduku has expressed satisfaction with the Nigeria U20 women’s team, the Falconets, as they intensify preparations for their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Senegal. The Falconets are two-time FIFA World Cup silver-medallists.

The team’s recent training camp has been productive, with all invited players fully engaged in tactical organisation, team cohesion, and overall strategy. Coach Aduku praised the players’ commitment, discipline, and intensity.

He underscored the importance of securing a strong result in the first leg, which Nigeria will host. Friendly matches have been crucial for refining the team’s playing system, focusing on strengthening attacking play while maintaining defensive balance. Aduku described their performances as “encouraging.”

Nigeria will host the first leg at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, on Saturday, 7th February, with the return leg scheduled for Saturday, 14th February in Dakar, Senegal.

The Falconets, who also reached the FIFA World Cup semi-finals 14 years ago in Japan, will travel to Ibadan on 27th January to continue their preparations. While refraining from bold predictions, Coach Aduku expressed belief in the players’ quality and mentality, citing their competitive displays in recent friendly matches. He affirmed the team’s determination to make the nation proud and secure qualification.

The winner of the Nigeria/Senegal fixture will advance to the final qualifying round, where they will face the winner of the Guinea Bissau/Malawi match for one of Africa’s four coveted spots at the final tournament.

The 12th edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals is set to take place in Poland from 5th to 27th September 2026.