When Malawi hosts the Falconets in the second leg of the final round of qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, head coach Maggie Chombo thinks her team can overcome their first-leg deficit against Nigeria.
The Falconets defeated their Malawian opponents 2-0 on Saturday after dominating the first leg in Ikenne.
Nigeria has been participating at the event since it began as a U-19 competition in Canada in 2002, and the victory increased their prospects of winning another spot.
Maureen Kenneth’s own goal gave Nigeria the lead following a goalless first half, and Kindness Ifeanyi increased the lead.
Malawi made a last-ditch effort to rally, but Nigeria’s defense remained strong. Head coach Moses Adukwu will lead his team into the second leg in a week with a two-goal advantage. Chombo is still optimistic that her squad can win the tie, though.
After the first leg, she declared, “We have learned, and we will go back and work on those areas.”
They have scored on their field, but we will do the same in front of our fans. We will do our hardest to win the game at home because everything is possible. Kickoff for the return leg is planned for Saturday, May 9, at 3 p.m. Malawi time (2 p.m. in Nigeria), at the Bingu National Stadium.
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