Akekoromowei Injury Overshadows Falconets’ U-20 World Cup Qualifier Victory

Akekoromowei Injury Overshadows Falconets’ U-20 World Cup Qualifier Victory

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria U-20 women’s forward Janet Akekoromowei suffered an injury during the Falconets’ 1–0 victory over Senegal in their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier on Saturday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The 18-year-old striker was forced off after an awkward challenge, with early assessments indicating a possible ankle dislocation. She is expected to undergo an MRI scan to determine the severity of the injury and the length of time she may be sidelined.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Football Federation had yet to release an official statement on her condition.

Akekoromowei, who was named Most Valuable Player of the Nigeria Women’s Football League last season, has enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks of Nigerian women’s football. She has featured at multiple national team levels in a short span, representing the country at the 2024 WAFU U-17 Nations Cup, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, and earning a call-up to the Super Falcons for an international friendly against Algeria.

She has also been influential in Nigeria’s current qualification campaign, scoring against Rwanda in earlier rounds of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Despite her injury, Nigeria claimed a narrow first-leg advantage through a second-half strike from Chinaza Kindness. The match was tightly contested, with both sides locked in a goalless first half marked by disciplined defending and intense midfield battles.

The Falconets returned from the break with renewed urgency, applying sustained pressure on the Senegalese defence. Their dominance paid off in the 50th minute when Kindness found the net to hand Nigeria a crucial lead.

The 1–0 victory places the Falconets in a favourable position ahead of the return leg, with at least a draw required to secure progression in the qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be held in Poland.

The second leg of the tie is slated for February 14 in Senegal.