By

Eniola Olatunji 

Africa’s most victorious U20 female football team, Falconets of Nigeria on Sunday at the Kigali Pele Stadium formerly known as Stade Regional de Nyamiramboon the outskirt of Kigali clipped the Wasps of Rwanda by a lone goal in the first leg to the 2026 female U20 world cup.

The Falconets who have appeared in all the category eleven world cup finals is on the march to scale over the Amavubi (Wasps) of Rwanda to make an all-time record 12th appearance for Africa at the world U20 tournament slated for Poland next year. 

Covering the match was an herculean task as TV rights for coverage forced many to watch online with the Rwandan Football Association TV FERWAFA hosting many Nigerians though with their Rwandan language as commentaries.

Nigeria played good football dominating the game extensively but lacked good finishing otherwise it would have been a basketful of goals for the Wasps.

The Rwandan girls lacked stamina as they kept falling like over ripe pawpaw giving the Sierria Leonian Ref, Aminata Fullah extra task of helping the Rwandans get up from the turf.

Cover photo shows Nigerian team officials congratulating themselves after the match. See you in Ibadan Wasps. Photo by Eniola Olatunji.

Nigeria has appeared in all the eleven world finals of 2002; 2004; 2006; 2008; 2010; 2012; 2014; 2015; 2018; 2022 and 2024 deserving the title of AGBA Ballers of Africa.

Nigeria lost Gold twice to same team, Germany playing at home and beating Nigeria in2010 and losing by a slim 1-0 at the Canada finals in 2014. She made the 4th position at Japan 2012 losing to Japan 1-2   Incidentally, Nigeria’s Conquerors, Germany have been sent out of the qualifiers from the European zone inspiring Nigeria to go get it now.

Rwanda does not have an impressive record compared to that of Nigeria making just 3 appearances at top stage of world cup qualifiers in Africa and getting to round 1 in 2022 meaning the team has never qualified to appear at the world stage.

Although the only time they met there in Rwanda, Nigeria on 24th May 2014 smashed the Wasps 4-1 in a WAFCON match but that venue of Sunday has never been favorable to Nigeria as the Super Eagles in 2011 played goalless there and last September again played goalless there.

From the look of play in Kigali today, the 2nd leg slated for Lekan Salami Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan on the 27th September will be a mere formality.

Already the Oyo State Government has committed about N350m to ensure the state is ready to host the Rwandans.  Governor Seyi Makinde is expecting that the Ibadan Airport that has been shut down for renovation will be ready for the 44th Olubadan’s coronation that will attract the de la crème guests across the continent and the Football guests may fly straight to the same Airport all things being equal.

The 12th edition of the world U20 female football tournament will involve 24 teams from six Confederations at four venues of Poland from 5th -27th September 2026.  

Meanwhile their male counterparts are in Chile for the world cup where the team will play Norway on Monday at 9pm Nigerian time; Play Saudi Arabia on Friday 3rd October at midnight and also play against Columbia on 6th October also at midnight in their group games.