Nigeria’s U20 women’s head coach, Moses Aduku, has expressed confidence that the Falconets will overcome Senegal in Saturday’s decisive second-leg clash of the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Thies, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Falconets hold a slim 1–0 advantage from the first leg and departed for Thies, Senegal, on Wednesday morning without key striker Janet Akekoromowei. The forward was ruled out after sustaining an injury in the first half of the opening leg played in Abeokuta.
Despite the absence of one of his key attacking players, Aduku believes his side has made significant tactical progress since the first leg.
“We will overcome because we have reviewed the match and taken a lot of lessons on board,” the coach said. “I commend the girls for regrouping after a tough first half, adjusting our tactics and showing character in the second half. We could have won by more goals because we created a number of opportunities in that period.”
Nigeria head to the Stade Lat Dior in Thies needing to protect their aggregate advantage to secure a place in the final qualifying round. Aduku stressed that his side will maintain a balanced approach rather than retreat defensively.
“In Senegal, we must defend resolutely and attack with purpose. We will play with focus and determination,” he added.
Moroccan referee Zakia El Grini will officiate the encounter, with compatriots Karima Khadiri and Ihsane Ennouajeli Nouajli serving as assistant referees.
Kick-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM local time (6:00 PM Nigerian time). A win or a draw will see the Falconets progress to the final qualifying round, where they will face the winner of the Guinea-Bissau versus Malawi tie. Nigeria are chasing qualification for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland this September.
