Poland 2026: Aduku Backs Falconets To Finish Job In Senegal After First-Leg Slim Win

Poland 2026: Aduku Backs Falconets To Finish Job In Senegal After First-Leg Slim Win

By Niyi Busari 

Head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team, Moses Aduku, has assured Nigerians that the Falconets will deliver a stronger performance in the return leg of their 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Senegal, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Nigeria secured a narrow 1–0 victory in the first leg on Saturday at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State, giving the Falconets a slim advantage ahead of the decisive away fixture.

Both teams displayed energy and discipline in a closely contested opening half, but neither side was able to find a breakthrough before the interval.

The deadlock was broken five minutes into the second half when substitute Kindness Ifeanyi headed home from a corner kick to score the match-winning goal.

Speaking after the match, Aduku played down concerns over the team’s first-half display, insisting that the squad would show greater sharpness in the second leg.

“Football is like that. When some players have off days, people think they are not good,” Aduku said at the post-match press conference. “When we get to Senegal, those same players will perform and be seen as game changers, so there is no need to worry.”

The coach praised goalscorer Kindness Ifeanyi for making an immediate impact after coming on as a substitute.

“That is exactly what a substitute should do. She was on the bench, watching the game, and when she came in, she delivered,” he said.

Aduku admitted that Nigeria’s initial tactical approach did not work as planned in the first half but expressed satisfaction with the team’s response after the break.

“We had a game plan, but it wasn’t working for us in the first half,” he added. “In the second half, we created chances, and although we missed some, we managed to score, which gives us a good advantage going into the second leg.”

With the victory, Nigeria take a narrow lead into the return fixture in Senegal, where the Falconets will aim to defend their advantage and secure a place in the fourth and final round of the African qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Poland 2026.

The return leg is scheduled for Feb. 14 in Senegal, where Nigeria will seek to consolidate their advantage and advance to the next round.