Senegal’s U-20 women’s national team, the Lionesses, have begun preparations in earnest for their highly anticipated 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, holding their first training session at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.
READ ALSO: Okpala: Nigerian Coaches Are the Solution to Super Eagles Coaching Debate
The Senegalese side arrived in Nigeria earlier this week and wasted no time acclimatising to their surroundings, as they stepped onto the training pitch to fine-tune tactics and build momentum ahead of Saturday’s showdown.
The encounter is the first leg of the third round of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria’s Falconets will host the West African rivals on Saturday, 7 February 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 4:00 pm Nigerian time at the MKO Abiola Stadium.
The fixture is expected to be a fiercely contested affair, given the pedigree of both teams in youth women’s football on the continent.
The Falconets, who have a strong history in the competition and remain one of Africa’s most consistent performers at U-20 level, will be aiming to secure a convincing home result before the return leg.
Playing in Abeokuta, the team will count on home support and familiarity with the conditions to gain an edge over their visitors.
Senegal, on the other hand, arrive with confidence and ambition, hoping to upset the hosts and take a positive result back home.
Their early training session suggests a focused approach as they prepare to cope with Nigeria’s intensity and attacking threat.
With a place in the next round at stake, Saturday’s clash promises high tempo, tactical discipline, and plenty of drama, as both sides look to take a decisive step toward qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
