Nigeria’s Super Falconets boosted their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland with a 1-0 victory over Rwanda in their first-leg qualifier in Kigali on Sunday.

The two-time World Cup finalists broke the deadlock in the 70th minute when Janet Akekoromowei rose highest to head home from a corner. Rwanda pressed for an equaliser late on, but Nigeria’s defence held firm to secure the win.

Both sides had cancelled each other out in a cagey first half, with Rwanda focused on maintaining a solid defensive shape against their more experienced visitors.

The decisive second leg will be played at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Saturday, September 27. The aggregate winner will advance to the third round of the qualifiers, where they will face either Senegal or Algeria.