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Maggie Chombo Eyes Historic Upset as Malawi Face Nigeria in U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier

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2 days ago

3:01 am

Maggie Chombo Eyes Historic Upset as Malawi Face Nigeria in U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier

Malawi U-20 women’s head coach Maggie Chombo has acknowledged the daunting task ahead of her side as they prepare to face Nigeria in the first leg of the final round of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Ikenne on Saturday.

Speaking ahead of the crucial clash, Chombo admitted that her team will be up against a vastly experienced Nigerian side with a strong pedigree in youth football.

“I know that it won’t be an easy game because Nigeria is a strong team and they have played this tournament for so many years,” she said.

“Malawi is trying to reach this far. I know it will be a tough game but as a coach, I am expecting a good game.”

Despite the challenge, Chombo remains optimistic about her team’s chances and the significance of the occasion.

She highlighted that this marks Malawi’s third attempt in the qualifiers, making the stakes even higher.

“This is our third time playing in the qualifiers. To win and qualify for the World Cup will be a big achievement for me as a coach—to beat Nigeria,” she stated.

Reflecting on the team’s journey so far, Chombo praised her players’ resilience and progress in reaching this stage of the competition.

“To reach this stage, we have come a long way. To make it to the World Cup will be a good one for Malawi,” she added.

While aware of Nigeria’s attacking strength, Chombo emphasized her side’s determination to compete and push for victory.

“If we could score, it will be a bonus, but our aim is to win the match,” she concluded.

The encounter promises to be a high-stakes battle, with both teams vying for a coveted spot at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Samuel Ahmadu

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.

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