Falconets beat Senegal 1–0 to boost chances in World Cup

Falconets of Nigeria have beaten Senegal 1-0 in their U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier, boosting their chances of progressing in the qualification race for the global tournament.

The tightly contested encounter saw the Nigerian girls dominate possession for long spells but struggle to break down a disciplined Senegalese side, who defended in numbers and relied on quick counter-attacks to threaten the Falconets’ back line.

Nigeria’s breakthrough eventually came after sustained pressure, with the Falconets converting a key opportunity to take the lead and send the home fans into celebration. The lone goal proved decisive, as Senegal failed to find an equaliser despite a late push.

The Falconets remained compact defensively after taking the lead, limiting Senegal to few clear chances while managing the tempo of the game intelligently. Nigeria’s goalkeeper and backline stood firm to preserve the clean sheet and ensure a vital advantage ahead of the next leg.

The win places Nigeria in a strong position as the U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying series continues, with the Falconets aiming to seal their passage to the tournament and extend the country’s proud record in women’s youth football.