2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers: Falconets claim vital away win in Rwanda

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over hosts Rwanda in a 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup second-round, first-leg qualifier on Sunday in Kigali.

The clash at the Kigali-Pele Stadium in the Nyamirambo district was tightly contested, with both teams cancelling each other out in a goalless first half.

The breakthrough finally came in the 70th minute when Alaba Olabiyi reacted quickest to a goalmouth scramble from a corner kick, slotting home the winner to hand Nigeria a crucial advantage.

The Falconets had other chances to extend the lead but efforts were abortive.

The result marked a winning debut for Head Coach Moses Aduku, who took charge of the Falconets for the first time in a competitive fixture.

Both teams will meet again in the return leg on Saturday at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, where the Falconets will look to finish the job and advance to the next round of qualifiers.

The Nigerian delegation is expected back in the country on Monday morning.

Oluwaseun Oyediji

Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.

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