Nigeria’s U20 women’s team, the Falconets, began their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign on a positive note with a narrow 1-0 victory over Rwanda at the Kigali Pelé Stadium on Sunday.

Head coach Moses Aduku, taking charge of his first competitive game, saw his side dominate possession but struggle to convert chances until the 70th minute. A well-worked move on the left between Miracle Usani and Folajomi Alaba Olabiyi earned Nigeria a corner. From the resulting delivery, Olabiyi rose highest to head home the decisive goal.

Nigeria had earlier passed up a golden opportunity in the 42nd minute when Precious Oscar, released by a long ball from Faridat Abdulwahab, rounded the Rwandan goalkeeper but failed to convert with the goal at her mercy.

Despite Rwanda’s late push, the Falconets held firm to claim a valuable first-leg advantage ahead of the return fixture.

The second leg comes up on Saturday, September 27, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, where the Falconets will look to finish the job and take a step closer to one of Africa’s four tickets to the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.