Poland 2026: Ifeanyi’s Goal Lifts Falconets Above Senegal in Abeokuta

Posted : 08 February 2026

Perennial FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finalists Nigeria created several opportunities but had only Kindness Ifeanyi’s 51st-minute goal to show for their dominance in the first leg of one of Africa’s third-round qualifying fixtures for this year’s finals in Poland.

Substitute Ifeanyi powered home a header from a corner kick delivered by defender Tumininu Adeshina to give Nigeria victory, with the fixture delicately poised as both teams prepare for the return leg in seven days in Dakar.

Nigeria’s top striker, Janet Akekoromowei, was forced off in the first half due to injury, but Shakirat Moshood and Taiwo Afolabi initiated a number of telling moves that could have resulted in more goals for the two-time World Cup silver medallists.

Dominance and Missed Opportunities

Nigeria dominated large spells of the encounter, covering every blade of grass and creating numerous chances, but were unfortunate not to convert most of them.

The Falconets recorded their first incursion into Senegal’s goal area in the 12th minute when Moshood weaved past two defenders, but her cross was blocked and cleared by the Senegalese defence.

The visitors responded eight minutes later through Sokhna Nogaye, who capitalised on a brief communication lapse among the Nigerian defenders. However, goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma reacted swiftly to deny her effort.

The game’s first booking came in the 25th minute when Khady Thiandoume was shown a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Akekoromowei. Five minutes later, Moshood broke into the Senegalese penalty area and fired a point-blank shot, but goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye produced a fine save to keep the scoreline level.

In the 35th minute, a neat link-up between Moshood and Akekoromowei nearly produced the opening goal, but a timely intervention by Senegalese defenders forced a corner kick.

The Decisive Goal

Nigeria finally broke the deadlock six minutes after the restart when Ifeanyi rose highest to head home a well-taken corner kick, giving the Falconets the lead. She came close to doubling the advantage in the 66th minute, but Ndiaye stretched full length to push her effort away.

The Falconets continued to apply pressure, with a dangerous free kick from the edge of the box sailing just over the crossbar as Senegal struggled to cope with Nigeria’s high-octane pressing.

In the 73rd minute, Moshood was again denied from close range. Three minutes later, Adeshina struck the crossbar directly from a corner kick on the right. Both teams will clash in Dakar on Saturday, with the winner advancing to the final round of the qualification series for Poland 2026.

Poland 2026: Ifeanyi’s Goal Lifts Falconets Above Senegal in Abeokuta

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