Falconets vs Malawi: Nigeria step up World Cup preparations as Aduku eyes final ticket

Nigeria’s Falconets are entering the final stage of their journey towards the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, with head coach Moses Aduku insisting his squad is fully focused on the task ahead, Soccernet.ng reports.

The West African giants will face Malawi in a two-legged playoff next month, with a place at the global tournament at stake. The first leg is scheduled to take place in Nigeria on Saturday, 2 May, while the return leg will be played a week later in Lilongwe.

Preparations have been steady and deliberate. The Falconets have been in camp in Abuja for three weeks, allowing the coaching staff enough time to assess players, build fitness levels and sharpen tactics ahead of what promises to be a demanding contest.

Aduku believes the team is in the right place mentally and physically as the decisive fixtures approach.

“We have a full squad on ground and everyone is focused on the task at hand. From now, we will concentrate on team planning and tactical work,” he said.

The Falconets are known for their attacking strength and discipline, and Aduku appears keen to fine-tune both areas before the first whistle is blown.

With home advantage in the first leg, Nigeria will be expected to set the tone early. However, the coach is aware that qualification will be decided over two matches, meaning concentration and consistency will be key across both legs.

How Nigeria's Falconets and Malawi reached the final round

Both Nigeria and Malawi have earned their place in this decisive playoff through impressive performances across the qualifying series.

Nigeria’s journey has been particularly commanding. The Falconets began their campaign with a straightforward progression after receiving a bye due to the withdrawal of an opponent. From there, they showed their quality in the second round by defeating Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate. That tie included a disciplined 1-0 away win in Kigali, followed by a dominant 4-0 victory at home in Ibadan.

Their toughest test came in the third round against Senegal, but Nigeria passed it with confidence. A narrow 1-0 win at home in Abeokuta gave them the edge before they secured a 2-1 victory away, sealing a 3-1 aggregate triumph.

Across these matches, the Falconets combined defensive solidity with clinical finishing, displaying why they are one of Africa’s strongest teams at this level.

Malawi, however, have taken a more hard-fought route to reach this stage. Their campaign began with a tightly contested first-round tie against the Central African Republic, where they advanced after a 1-1 aggregate result.

In the second round, they showed improvement by overcoming South Sudan 3-1 on aggregate. But it was in the third round that Malawi truly made a statement. After a 1-1 draw away to Guinea-Bissau, they delivered a powerful performance at home in Lilongwe, winning 5-1 to complete a 6-2 aggregate victory.

That result unveils Malawi’s attacking threat, especially when playing on home soil. It also sets up an intriguing clash of styles, with Nigeria’s consistency meeting Malawi’s resilience and momentum.

As both teams prepare for the final hurdle, the stage is set for a competitive and closely watched playoff. Nigeria's target is to finish the job and return to the world stage. However, Malawi are two matches away from qualifying for the U20 World Cup for the first time in their history.