Falconets Eye Dakar Triumph as Aduku Backs Team’s Growth After First-Leg Victory

Falconets head coach Moses Aduku has expressed strong confidence that Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team will finish the job against Senegal when both sides clash in the decisive second leg of their 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier in Dakar.

Nigeria secured a slim but valuable 1–0 win over the Senegalese Lionesses at the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta last weekend. While the scoreline favoured the Falconets, the encounter was far from comfortable, as Senegal showed resilience and tactical discipline that suggests the return leg will be anything but easy.

Speaking ahead of the trip, Aduku revealed that the technical crew has carefully reviewed the first encounter and drawn important lessons that could shape their approach in Dakar. According to him, the team’s ability to recover from a difficult first half and adapt tactically in the second period reflects the character growing within the squad.

The Falconets are set to travel with a 25-player contingent, although the absence of top striker Janet Akekoromowei due to injury will test the team’s attacking depth. Her absence may force Aduku to reshuffle his forward line, potentially giving emerging players a chance to step into the spotlight.

An Opinion Worth Considering

From a broader perspective, Nigeria’s narrow victory may actually be a blessing in disguise. The Falconets avoided the complacency that often follows a heavy first-leg win, and the tough contest exposed areas that require improvement — especially game management and finishing in the final third. Facing a determined Senegalese side away from home will demand mental strength as much as technical quality.

For Nigerian fans, this tie represents more than just qualification; it’s another opportunity to witness the next generation of Super Falcons stars developing under pressure. If Aduku’s optimism translates into disciplined performance on the pitch, the Falconets could not only secure progression but also prove that they are evolving into a more tactically mature and resilient side.

As the team heads to Dakar, one question lingers: will the lessons from Abeokuta be enough to silence a confident Senegalese crowd? Nigerian supporters will certainly hope that the Falconets’ fighting spirit — praised by their coach — becomes the defining story of this qualifier.