Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, have booked a place at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland despite losing 2-1 to Malawi in the second leg of their final qualifying tie on Saturday.
The encounter, played at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, saw Malawi’s Young Scorchers push hard for a comeback, but Nigeria progressed 3-2 on aggregate after their first-leg advantage proved decisive.
Malawi made a bright start to the match as Faith Chimzimu opened the scoring in the ninth minute, boosting the hosts’ hopes of overturning the deficit.
The Falconets nearly found an immediate response when Kindness Ifeanyi delivered a dangerous cross from the right wing, but Favour Nkwocha’s powerful effort struck the woodwork.
The home side carried their 1-0 lead into halftime and intensified the pressure after the restart. Chimzimu grabbed her second goal in the 56th minute to temporarily level the aggregate score and put Nigeria on the back foot.
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However, the Falconets quickly regained control through substitute Precious Oscar, who netted in the 62nd minute to restore Nigeria’s aggregate lead and seal qualification for the tournament.
Although Nigeria lost the match, the team showed determination and composure in a difficult away fixture to secure their place at the global competition scheduled to be held in Poland from September 5 to September 26, 2026.
The qualification extends the Falconets’ impressive history in women’s youth football, where they remain one of Africa’s most successful sides at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria had laid the foundation for qualification with a 2-0 first-leg victory in Ikenne, Ogun State, on May 2. Before reaching the final round, the Falconets defeated Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate and Senegal 3-1 on aggregate.