Nigeria’s Falconets edged Rwanda 1-0 in Kigali on Sunday to secure a narrow first-leg advantage in their bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
After a cagey first half where both sides struggled to find openings, the breakthrough came in the 70th minute when Janet Akekoromowei rose highest to head home from a corner.
The goal proved decisive as the two-time World Cup finalists tightened up defensively to keep the hosts at bay.
Rwanda pushed late in search of an equaliser, but the Falconets stood firm, with goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi pulling off a vital save in the closing stages to preserve the lead.
The return leg takes place on September 27 at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, where Nigeria will look to finish the job and progress to the third round of qualifiers. The aggregate winner will face either Senegal or Algeria in the next stage.
