Nigeria’s Falconets took a big step toward qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland with a 1-0 win over Rwanda in their first-leg clash in Kigali on Sunday.
The game was tight in the first half, with both teams cancelling each other out. Rwanda focused on staying solid at the back, while Nigeria struggled to break through.
The breakthrough came in the 70th minute when Janet Akekoromowei rose highest to head in from a corner, giving the Falconets the lead.
Rwanda pushed for an equaliser, but the Nigerian defence stood firm to protect their advantage.
The Falconets will now host the return leg at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Saturday, September 27. The winner of the tie will face either Senegal or Algeria in the next round of qualifiers.
