Nigeria, Ghana Secure Tickets To FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria, Ghana Secure Tickets To FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria’s Falconets secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Malawi Women's Under-20 National Team 3-2 on aggregate in their final qualifying fixture on Saturday, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Despite entering the second leg with a 2-0 advantage from the first meeting in Ikenne, the Falconets were pushed to the limit by a determined Malawian side in front of a passionate home crowd.

Malawi made a bright start as Faith Chinzimu opened the scoring in the eighth minute to revive the hosts’ hopes of qualification. Chinzimu struck again in the 57th minute, drawing Malawi level on aggregate and setting up a tense finish.

However, Nigeria responded when Precious Oscar scored the decisive goal to restore the Falconets’ aggregate advantage and silence the home supporters in Malawi’s second-largest city.

The Malawi's U20 women's national team scored a second goal to gain a 2-1 home win but the Nigerians won on 3-2 aggregate.

The result confirmed Nigeria’s place at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland and extended the country’s remarkable record of qualifying for every edition of the tournament since its inception.

Nigeria had earlier defeated Malawi 2-0 in the first leg played in Ikenne Remo.

Elsewhere, Ghana Women's Under-20 National Team also booked qualification after edging Uganda Women's Under-20 National Team 3-2 on aggregate.

Ghana, who won the first leg 2-1, held Uganda to a 1-1 draw at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru despite being reduced to 10 players following a red card in the 69th minute. Sylvia Kabena had given Uganda an early lead in the sixth minute before Ghana equalised in the closing stages to secure progression.

Attention now shifts to the remaining qualifying fixtures, with Cameroon Women's Under-20 National Team set to face Tanzania Women's Under-20 National Team after Cameroon claimed a 3-1 first-leg advantage in Yaoundé.

Meanwhile, Ivory Coast Women's Under-20 National Team will take on Benin Women's Under-20 National Team following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Abidjan.

The Falconets remain one of the most successful teams in the history of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, having reached the final twice — in 2010 and 2014 — finishing runners-up to Germany Women's Under-20 National Team on both occasions.

Nigeria’s memorable 2014 campaign in Canada was inspired by Asisat Oshoala, who emerged as the tournament’s top scorer and best player after netting seven goals, including four in the semifinal victory over North Korea.

The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to take place in Poland from September 5 to September 27, with 24 nations expected to compete for the title.