Falconets travel to Malawi aiming to seal qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland

Nigeria’s Falconets will travel to Lilongwe on Saturday holding a crucial two-goal advantage over Malawi women’s national under-20 football team as they seek qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

Also read: Chombo Confident as Malawi U-20 Target Big Win Over Falconets

The Falconets secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg played in Ikenne-Remo last weekend, thanks to an own goal forced by Maureen Kenneth and a decisive strike from Kindness Ifeanyi.

The return fixture is scheduled for the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, with kick-off fixed for 3pm local time in Malawi, which is 2pm in Nigeria.

Head coach Moses Aduku expressed confidence ahead of the decisive encounter and revealed that the team arrived in Malawi on Wednesday to complete final preparations.

“We are here to play and to win. The players understand the importance of this match, and we are fully prepared mentally, tactically and physically for the challenge ahead,” Moses Aduku said during Friday’s pre-match press conference.

Malawi coach Maggie Chombo admitted that her side faces a difficult task but insisted the hosts still believe they can overturn the deficit before their home supporters.

“We have learnt, and we will go back and work on those areas. They have managed to score on their pitch, but we are going to do so as well in front of our supporters. Everything is possible,” Maggie Chombo said.

The Falconets remain one of Africa’s most successful youth teams and hold an impressive record in the competition, having qualified for every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since the tournament was introduced in 2002.

Nigeria have reached the final twice and also claimed a semi-final finish, reinforcing the team’s reputation as a continental powerhouse in women’s football.

Moses Aduku’s side advanced to the final qualifying round after dominant aggregate victories over Rwanda and Senegal earlier in the campaign.

Rwanda were defeated 5-0 on aggregate, while Senegal fell 3-1 across two legs.

Elsewhere in the African qualifiers on Saturday, Ghana women’s national under-20 football team face a difficult away trip to Kampala against Uganda women’s national under-20 football team after securing only a narrow 2-1 first-leg advantage at home.

Also read: Falconets Coach Aduku Promises Attacking Win vs Malawi

Meanwhile, Cameroon women’s national under-20 football team travel to Dar es Salaam with a 3-1 lead over Tanzania women’s national under-20 football team, while Benin women’s national under-20 football team host Ivory Coast women’s national under-20 football team after the first leg in Abidjan ended 1-1.