RismadarVoice Reporters, May 9, 2026
Nigeria women’s national under-20 football team and Ghana women’s national under-20 football team have secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after surviving difficult qualifying fixtures on Saturday.
The Falconets booked their place at the tournament in dramatic fashion despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Malawi’s Young Scorchers in the second leg of their qualifying tie in Lilongwe.
Nigeria progressed 3-2 on aggregate, relying on the crucial two-goal advantage secured during the first leg in Ikenne a week earlier.
Backed by a vibrant home crowd, Malawi started aggressively and unsettled the Nigerian side early in the contest. The hosts capitalised on a defensive error in the first half to score the opening goal and revive hopes of overturning the deficit.
Nigeria nearly responded immediately when Kindness Ifeanyi delivered a dangerous cross that Favour Nkwocha connected with powerfully, but the effort struck the woodwork.
The Young Scorchers intensified their pressure after the break and levelled the aggregate score in the 55th minute following another defensive lapse by the Falconets.
With the aggregate score tied at 2-2, Nigeria’s long-standing record of qualifying for every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup came under serious threat.
However, head coach Moses Aduku found the breakthrough from the bench as substitute Precious Oscar emerged the hero in the 62nd minute. The forward dispossessed a Malawian defender before calmly finishing past the goalkeeper to restore Nigeria’s aggregate lead.
The Falconets then displayed composure and resilience in the closing stages to see out the game and secure another appearance at the World Cup finals, which will be held in Poland from September 5 to 26, 2026.
Following the qualification, members of the Nigerian delegation expressed appreciation to Ibrahim Miringa and the staff of the Nigerian mission in Malawi for their support during the team’s stay.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses of Ghana also booked their place at the tournament after earning a 1-1 draw against Uganda in Kampala.
Ghana entered the return leg with a 2-1 advantage from the first meeting in Accra but faced an early scare after Uganda scored in the sixth minute.
However, Linda Owusu Ansah struck a crucial equaliser in the 78th minute to secure qualification for the Ghanaians and extend their remarkable run to eight consecutive appearances at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
