Senegal have named their squad for Saturday’s qualifying clash against Nigeria’s Falconets and have begun preparations in Abeokuta ahead of the first leg of the third-round encounter.
The Senegalese Football Federation released the squad list on Wednesday, with head coach Mbayang Thiam selecting a well-balanced team made up largely of players from local academies and clubs, complemented by a few foreign-based talents.
The squad is led by 2025 CAF Young Player of the Year finalist Adji Nidaiye of Bourges 18. She is joined in the goalkeeping department by Yakhara Diagne of AS Bambey and Fatou Nidaiye Camara of Lycée Ameth Fall. Defensive options include Aissatou Fall, Adama Siga Diouf and Ndeye Haby Barro.
In midfield, Mbene Diop, Mariama Faty and Mame Diarra Diallo made the list, while the attacking line is spearheaded by Marie Louise Sarr, Khadija Badio and Aissatou Sagna.
The Lionesses of Teranga arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday night, landing in Lagos before travelling by road to Abeokuta. They held their first training session on Wednesday evening at African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta.
Saturday’s match serves as the first leg of the penultimate qualifying round for the Poland 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. The winner on aggregate will face either Guinea-Bissau or Malawi in the final qualifying round for a place at the tournament later in the year.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Ugandan referee Diana Murungi to officiate the match. She will be assisted by fellow Ugandans Immaculate Ongiera and Elizabeth Nassolo, with Burundi’s Suavis Iratunga named as fourth official. Ghana’s Christine Ziga will serve as match commissioner, while Berthe Minka of Gabon will act as referee assessor.
