Nigeria’s Falconets secured a crucial 1–0 victory over Senegal on Saturday in the first leg of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, played at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Both sides displayed grit and tactical discipline in a tightly contested encounter, with neither team able to break the deadlock in the first half as the match went into the interval scoreless.

The breakthrough came shortly after the restart when substitute Kindness Ifeanyi rose highest to head home from a corner kick in the 50th minute, giving Nigeria a deserved lead against the Senegalese visitors.

Ifeanyi nearly doubled the Falconets’ advantage in the 66th minute, but the Senegal goalkeeper produced a full-stretch save to deny the forward a second goal.

The Falconets held firm for the remainder of the match, combining disciplined defending, controlled possession, and effective game management. Tactical substitutions by head coach Moses Aduku in the second half proved key as Nigeria maintained momentum and protected their narrow lead.

Nigeria suffered an early setback when striker Janet Akokoromowei was forced off due to injury in the first half.

For her match-winning contribution, Kindness Ifeanyi was named Player of the Match.

The return leg of the U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying tie is scheduled for February 14 in Senegal, where the Falconets will aim to build on their first-leg advantage and book a place in the next round.