Nigeria’s U20 women’s team, the Falconets, secured a commanding 4-0 victory against Rwanda at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Saturday, progressing to the third round of the 2026 U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
Building on their 1-0 first-leg win in Kigali, the Falconets triumphed 5-0 on aggregate, setting up a clash against either Senegal or Algeria for a place at Poland 2026.
The home side controlled the match from early on, showcasing sharp attacking moves and relentless pressure. “We set out to dominate and it showed on the pitch,” said team sources.
The scoring opened in the 13th minute when Janet Akekoromowei outpaced her defender on the left flank and laid the ball to Precious Oscar, who calmly finished to the net.
Just minutes later, Fatimah Adeshina raised the roof by curling a stunning free kick past the Rwandan goalkeeper to double Nigeria’s lead.
After half-time, the Falconets maintained their intensity. Janet Akekoromowei once again made an impact, firing a powerful long-range shot in the 60th minute that left the goalkeeper with no chance.
Late into stoppage time, substitute Afolabi rounded off the scoring with a composed finish, highlighting Nigeria’s attacking depth and technical superiority.
With Senegal holding a 2-0 advantage over Algeria from their first leg, the Falconets now prepare for a highly competitive third-round showdown. The team remains optimistic about flying the Nigerian flag at Poland 2026.
“This victory is a great step forward, but the journey is far from over,” a Falconets spokesperson said. “We are ready for the next challenge and focused on securing qualification.”
