Boluwatife Kehinde
Nigeria’s Super Falconets edged Rwanda 1-0 in Kigali to begin their journey toward the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on a winning note. The narrow victory hands the two-time finalists an important advantage ahead of the return leg in Ibadan.
From kickoff, it was clear the Falconets would have to dig deep. Rwanda approached the match with discipline, choosing to sit back and frustrate the visitors. Nigeria enjoyed more possession but found little joy breaking through the well-organised East Africans. With neither side carving out clear chances, the opening half ended in stalemate.
The breakthrough arrived midway through the second half. A corner kick in the 70th minute was met with determination by Janet Akekoromowei, who rose highest to head the ball past the Rwandan goalkeeper. The goal not only relieved the mounting tension but also shifted momentum firmly toward the Falconets.
Rwanda responded by pushing higher up the pitch in search of an equaliser. They probed with long passes and quick breaks, hoping to catch Nigeria off guard. But the Falconets’ defence remained compact, repelling every threat and maintaining their slender lead until the final whistle.
Though the margin was slim, the result showcased Nigeria’s ability to grind out wins in difficult conditions. Head coach Christopher Danjuma praised his players’ composure, particularly in the latter stages when Rwanda mounted pressure.
The Falconets now turn their attention to the return fixture at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Saturday, September 27. With the backing of home fans, they will aim to finish the job and move into the third round of qualifiers, where they await a clash against either Senegal or Algeria.
For a side that has consistently flown Africa’s flag on the global stage, the mission remains clear: return to the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland and challenge once more for a trophy that has narrowly eluded them in the past.
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