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Nigeria’s Falconets host Malawi in the first leg of the final round of qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.
The Falconets aim to participate for the twelfth time in the U-20 Women’s World Cup which will take place in Poland in September.
Since debuting in the inaugural edition in 2002 in Canada, the Falconets have never failed to qualify for the world’s top competition.
Falconets and Malawi’s path to the final round
To reach the final round of qualifying, the Falconets defeated Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate in the second round.
In the third round, coach Moses Aduku’s team faced Senegal, which they beat with an aggregate score of 3-1 to advance.
Now, facing the Falconets and their qualification for the 12th U-20 Women’s World Cup, Malawi is little known and has been impressive, especially in front of goal.
Malawi began their qualifying campaign with a 4-2 aggregate victory over the Central African Republic in the first round. And in the second round they beat Better of South Sudan 3-1 in two games.
Also read: WWCQ U20 2026: Malawi captain expects an intense match with the Falconets
It was in the third round that the Malawians showed how lethal they can be in front of goal, defeating Guinea-Bissau 6-2 on aggregate.
Furthermore, it is important to note that the Malawians are not bad travelers, as they are yet to suffer defeats in their three previous away games in the qualifiers: they drew two and won one.
By eliminating the Falconets, coach Maggie Chombo’s team will become the first Malawian team (men’s or women’s, senior or junior) to qualify for a FIFA World Cup.
Beating Nigeria will be a great achievement for our football: Malawi coach
Speaking before the first leg, head coach Chombo said defeating the Falconets will be a great achievement for Malawian football.
“That would be a great achievement for Malawi football, this is our third time (playing in the under-20 qualifiers), in 2020 we were eliminated by Zimbabwe and in 2021 we lost to Zambia.
“So beating Nigeria and qualifying for the World Cup would be a great achievement for me as a coach and also for the players, and a huge development for women’s football in Malawi because, as we all know, Malawian football is growing.”
Four teams will represent Africa at this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland.
Twice runner-up in the U-20 Women’s World Cup
The Falconets have appeared in the U-20 Women’s World Cup final twice, losing to Germany on both occasions in 2010 and 2014.
In their first appearance in the final, they lost 2-0 to Germany, who were the hosts.
Four years later, in Canada, the Germans beat the Falconets 1-0 in extra time.
By James Agberebi in Ikenne
