Nigeria: Falconets tipped to finish job against Senegal in U-20 World Cup qualifier

Falconets, Nigeria’s Under-20 women’s team, have been urged to remain calm and confident as they head into a decisive World Cup qualifying clash with Senegal this weekend, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria hold a narrow but valuable first-leg advantage after the Falconets edged the Young Lionesses 1-0 in Abeokuta last Saturday.

Nigeria boast a long-standing tradition of competing in every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, while Senegal are chasing a historic first appearance at the tournament.

Former Super Falcons midfielder Maureen Mmadu believes the momentum remains firmly with Nigeria.

Despite the tight scoreline, Mmadu is convinced the Falconets possess enough quality, maturity and tactical awareness to handle the pressure of playing away in Thiès, where Senegal must win by at least two clear goals to progress.

With a place in the final qualifying round on the line, and a potential meeting with either Guinea-Bissau or Malawi awaiting the winners, the stakes could hardly be higher for Coach Moses Aduku’s side.

Mmadu confident Falconets can handle pressure in Dakar

Speaking ahead of the return leg, Mmadu insisted the first-leg victory has given Nigeria a vital psychological boost.

“The important thing is that the girls won the first leg, and that will give them confidence going into the return leg match in Dakar, Senegal,” Mmadu told Complete Sports.

The former Avaldsnes IL star expects Senegal to push aggressively from the opening whistle, a scenario she believes could actually favour the Falconets if they remain composed.

“In the return leg, Senegal will be under pressure and will come out to score goals. That situation will give the Falconets the opportunity to score more goals.

“The Falconets have the quality and potential to qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, and I don’t see Senegal stopping them.”

The Falconets have qualified for every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and has been runners-up twice, losing to Germany on both occasions, in 2010 and 2014.