Nigeria, a consistent finalist in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, created numerous chances but managed to secure only a single goal from Kindness Ifeanyi in the 51st minute during the first leg of one of Africa’s third round qualifying matches for this year’s tournament in Poland.
Substitute Ifeanyi scored with a powerful header from a corner taken by defender Tumininu Adeshina, giving Nigeria the win.
The match remains finely balanced as both teams will meet again in Dakar next week for the second leg.
Nigeria’s leading striker, Janet Akokoromowei, had to leave the match early due to injury, but Shakirat Moshood and Taiwo Afolabi made several impactful plays that could have led to additional goals for the two-time World Cup silver medalists.
The Falconets dominated much of the game, covering the field extensively and creating many opportunities, but were unlucky not to convert more of them.
Their first attempt on goal came in the 12th minute when Moshood maneuvered past two defenders, but her cross was blocked and cleared by the Senegalese defense.
Senegal responded eight minutes later when Sokhna Nogaye took advantage of a brief miscommunication among the Nigerian defenders, but goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma quickly intervened to deny her shot.
The first yellow card of the match was issued in the 25th minute to Khady Thiandoume for a reckless tackle on Akokoromowei.
Five minutes later, Moshood entered the Senegalese penalty area and fired a close-range shot, but goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye made an excellent save to keep the score level.
In the 35th minute, a promising combination between Moshood and Akokoromowei nearly resulted in a goal, but Senegal’s defenders managed to force a corner kick.
Nigeria finally broke the stalemate six minutes into the second half when Ifeanyi headed in a well-placed corner, giving the Falconets the lead.
She nearly scored again in the 66th minute, but Ndiaye made a full-stretch save to keep her effort out.
The Falconets continued to press, with a threatening free kick from just outside the box sailing narrowly over the crossbar as Senegal struggled to handle Nigeria’s intense pressure.
In the 73rd minute, Moshood was again thwarted from close range, and just three minutes later, Adeshina’s shot from a corner hit the crossbar.
Both teams will face off again in Dakar on Saturday, with the winner advancing to the final round of the qualification series.
