BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN-ROSE
Confederation of African Football has congratulated Nigeria’s Nigeria women’s national under-20 football team after they secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in dramatic fashion.
The Falconets booked their place at the tournament despite a 2-1 defeat to Malawi women’s national under-20 football team in the second leg of the final qualifying round, advancing 3-2 on aggregate.
Nigeria entered the match with a 2-0 first-leg advantage, but Malawi mounted a strong comeback through Faith Chimzimu, who scored in the 9th and 56th minutes to level the tie on aggregate and put the visitors under pressure.
The Falconets, however, responded quickly as Precious Oscar found the net in the 62nd minute with a decisive goal that restored Nigeria’s aggregate lead and ultimately sealed qualification.
Reacting after the match, CAF celebrated Nigeria’s outstanding consistency at youth level with a message posted on its official X account.
“History stays intact. The Falconets have officially qualified for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, never missing a single edition,” CAF wrote.
The qualification means Nigeria will now make a 12th consecutive appearance at the global tournament, extending their record as one of the most consistent teams in the competition’s history.
The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will be hosted in Poland from September 5 to 27.
