Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, have qualified for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland after edging Malawi’s Young Scorchers 3-2 on aggregate, despite a 2-1 defeat in the second leg on Saturday in Lilongwe.
The Falconets went into the return leg at Bingu National Stadium with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Ikenne, courtesy of an own goal by Maureen Kenneth and a strike from Kindness Ifeanyi.
Malawi struck early in the ninth minute when Faith Chinzimu headed home from a set-piece to cut the deficit. The hosts doubled their lead in the 55th minute, with Chinzimu completing her brace after racing clear down the left flank and finishing past the goalkeeper to level the tie 2-2 on aggregate.
Nigeria’s qualification was restored in the 62nd minute when substitute Oscar Precious pressed aggressively, dispossessed Malawian captain Leticia Chinyamula, and fired into the net to make it 2-1 on the day and 3-2 overall. “With the away-goals rule still leaving Malawi needing two more goals, the hosts were unable to complete the turnaround,” reports said.
Head coach Moses Aduku said his squad arrived in Malawi on Wednesday and were fully prepared. “We are here to play and to win. The players understand the importance of this match, and we are fully prepared mentally, tactically, and physically for the challenge ahead,” he said before the match.
The result maintains Nigeria’s record of qualifying for every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since its inception in 2002. The Falconets will make their 12th appearance at the tournament, which is scheduled for September 5-26, 2026, in Poland.
Alongside the USA and Brazil, Nigeria will head to Poland as one of only three nations to have appeared at every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Malawi, Ambassador Ibrahim Miringa, and NFF Leader of Delegation, Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen, were present to support the team. The Nigeria team expressed gratitude to Ambassador Miringa and his team for their support during the team’s stay in the country.
Before facing Malawi, the Falconets had dismantled Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate and Senegal 3-1 on aggregate to reach the final round of qualifying.
