Head coach of the Senegal U-20 women’s national team, Mbahang Thiam, has unveiled a 24-player squad for Saturday’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier first-leg encounter against Nigeria.
The squad composition features three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and six attackers, as Senegal prepare for the decisive round of the qualification series.
The first leg of the two-legged tie is scheduled to take place at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Kuto, Abeokuta, with kick-off set for 4:00 pm on Saturday. The return leg will be played next week, with the winner on aggregate securing a ticket to the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Senegal will be aiming to upset the Falconets on Nigerian soil, while Nigeria look to leverage home advantage in their quest for another World Cup appearance.
Senegal U-20 Women’s Squad vs Nigeria
Goalkeepers
Adji Ndiaye
Yakhara Diagne
Fatou Ndiaye Camara
Defenders
Aissatou Fall
Adama Signa Diouf
Astou Diabang
Dienaba Sane
Khady Thiandoume
Mballo Ndiaye
Ndeye Haby Barro
Aminata Cisse
Midfielders
Mbene Diop
Mariama Faty
Anta Thioune
Sokhna Nogaye Pene
Mame Diarra Diallo
Seynabou Mbengue
Coumba Sangouthe
Attackers
Marie Louise Sarr
Khadija Badio
Aissatou Sagna
Ndeye Khoudia Gaye
Aissatou Ndiaye
Maimouna Coly
With qualification at stake, the Abeokuta encounter is expected to be a fiercely contested West African showdown between two ambitious youth sides.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
