Nigeria and Ghana Reach FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Final Qualifiers as South Africa and Egypt Exit

Nigeria’s U20 women’s national team moved within one tie of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after defeating Senegal 2–1 on Saturday at the Annexe du Stade du Sénégal in Rufisque, securing a 3–1 aggregate victory.

The result confirmed the Falconets’ place in the final round of African qualifying, while South Africa and Egypt were eliminated from the competition.

According to The Confederation of African Football, Nigeria progressed after building on a 1–0 first-leg win in Abeokuta. Kindness Ifeanyi opened the scoring in the return leg with a first-half header from a corner, extending Nigeria’s aggregate lead.

Precious Oscar doubled the advantage after the interval, also converting from a set piece, before Senegal reduced the deficit late on.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the team’s progression and reiterated Nigeria’s consistent presence at the tournament.

Historical records published by FIFA show Nigeria as the only African nation to have qualified for every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since its inception in 2002.

Elsewhere in the third qualifying round, Malawi recorded the largest victory margin, defeating Guinea-Bissau 5–1 at home after a 1–1 first-leg draw, as detailed in CAF’s official match coverage. Uganda advanced with a 1–0 away win over Zambia, while Ghana eliminated South Africa courtesy of a narrow 1–0 result.

Egypt’s campaign ended following a 4–0 second-leg defeat to Benin, while Tanzania overturned a first-leg deficit against Kenya before progressing via a penalty shootout.

Ivory Coast advanced despite losing 1–0 to DR Congo in the return leg, having secured a two-goal advantage in the first meeting.

CAF confirmed that the final qualifying round will determine Africa’s representatives at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which is scheduled to begin on 5 September in Poland, according to FIFA’s official competition calendar.

Nigeria will face Malawi in the final round, with Ghana meeting Uganda, Cameroon taking on Tanzania and Benin playing Ivory Coast.

The four aggregate winners will secure Africa’s places at the global tournament as Nigeria aim to extend their uninterrupted record on the world stage.

The concluding home-and-away fixtures will take place in May 2026, with the four victorious teams securing qualification for the World Cup in Poland.

The matches are scheduled from May 1st to 10th, 2026.

·      Ghana vs Uganda

·       Nigeria vs Malawi

·       Cameroon vs Tanzania

·      Cote d’Ivoire vs Benin