Falconets head coach Moses Aduku has praised Kindness Ifeanyi for her decisive impact off the bench after Nigeria edged Senegal 1-0 in the first leg of their 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying tie.

Ifeanyi, who was introduced after the break, scored the game’s only goal with a well-taken header from a corner kick, breaking the deadlock after a goalless first half. 

Speaking after the game, Aduku defended the performance of the players, insisting they would put up a much-improved performance in the second leg.

"Football is like that. When some players have off days, you'll think they are not good, but when we get to Senegal, the same players will play and you'll tell me they are also game changers, so don't worry," Falconets coach Moses Aduku said at the post-match press conference.

Aduku praised Ifeanyi Kindness’ performance, hailing her intelligence and focus in studying the game and identifying where she could influence the match before coming on.

"Kindness came in; that's what a substitute should do because she was seated on the bench watching the game," he said.  

He admitted his initial game plan did not click in the first half but was satisfied with the team’s response after the interval.

The coach lamented the number of chances missed in the second half but expressed confidence in the team’s readiness for the return leg in Senegal.

"We had a game plan, but it was not working for us in the first half," he added. 

"In the second half, we had opportunities but we couldn't take them, and we scored one, so we are good to go and meet them at their place."

With the victory, Nigeria moves into the driving seat ahead of the second leg, where the Falconets will look to protect their slim advantage and secure a place in the fourth and final round of the African qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Poland 2026.

Adeyemi Adewale