Nigeria’s Falconets secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Senegal in their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier, but the win was overshadowed by a serious injury to star forward Janet Akekoromowei.
The first half ended goalless despite Nigeria creating the better chances. The Falconets’ best opportunity came in the 33rd minute when Shakirat Moshood burst down the right flank, beat two Senegalese defenders and fired narrowly wide.
A minute later, Moshood turned provider, slipping the ball to Akekoromowei inside the six-yard box, but the forward also failed to find the target.
The match took a worrying turn in the 38th minute when Akekoromowei embarked on a solo run through the same channel before releasing a pass to Moshood. Moments later, she went down in visible pain as play continued. Moshood crossed into the area, but Senegal’s defence managed to clear the danger.
It soon became clear that Akekoromowei had suffered a dislocated ankle. Medical personnel rushed onto the pitch, and she was stretchered off to anxious reactions from teammates and supporters. She was immediately taken to hospital, with Folajomi Olabiyi introduced as her replacement.
Nigeria went into the break at 0–0, with the mood subdued after the injury to one of their key players.
The Falconets, however, regrouped after the interval and broke the deadlock six minutes into the second half. From a well-delivered corner kick, Kindness Ifeanyi rose highest to power a header past goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye.
Ifeanyi nearly doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 66th minute, but the Senegal goalkeeper produced a full-stretch save. The Falconets continued to dominate, with a dangerous free kick sailing just over the crossbar, while Moshood was denied from close range in the 73rd minute.
Three minutes later, Adeshina struck the crossbar directly from a corner kick as Nigeria pressed for a second goal.
Despite their dominance, the Falconets had to settle for the lone goal, which they protected until the final whistle.
Captain Joy Igbokwe admitted the injury to Akekoromowei affected the team but praised their resilience.
“Yes, we missed her because she is one of our key players, and when the injury occurred, we almost fell apart, but our coach encouraged us that we just had to continue no matter what,” Igbokwe said after the match. “We miss her so much, and I am using this medium to wish her a speedy recovery.”
Head coach Moses Aduku said the team would provide an update on the forward’s condition after further medical assessments.
“For Janet, there is no information yet because we just finished the game. When we get back to the hotel, I think we will get the information,” Aduku said.
Akekoromowei’s injury could be a major setback for the Falconets. The Bayelsa Queens forward is the reigning Nigeria Women Football League Most Valuable Player and one of the brightest prospects in the country’s women’s game.
She has drawn interest from several European clubs, including Barcelona, Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain, and has been central to Nigeria’s qualification campaign, scoring in earlier rounds against Rwanda.
At just 18, Akekoromowei has enjoyed a rapid rise, starring for Nasarawa Amazons before moving to Bayelsa Queens and gaining experience at the last U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
Nigeria will now await news on her recovery as they prepare for the return leg in Dakar on Saturday, with the aggregate winner advancing to the final round of the qualification series.
