Falconets outclass Senegal U20: Nigeria’s women’s team beat Senegal 3-1 on aggregate, with Senegal coach Thiam highlighting experience and maturity

Senegal U-20 women’s head coach Mbayang Thiam has acknowledged that her team was outclassed by a mature Nigeria U-20 side, the Falconets, following a 3-1 aggregate defeat in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

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Nigeria secured progression with a 2-1 away victory in Dakar on Saturday, maintaining the Falconets’ unbroken record of qualifying for every edition of the tournament since 2002.

Speaking after the match, Thiam admitted that her players had anticipated a stern challenge against a team renowned for its pedigree in youth and senior competitions.

“It’s true, it wasn’t easy. We even expected that,” Thiam said. “The Nigerian team isn’t a weak team. They’re a team used to competitions, both at the youth and senior levels.”

The Senegal coach highlighted that the Falconets’ experience proved decisive, particularly from set-piece situations. “We conceded three goals from corners and free kicks,” she explained.

“After the first goal, the girls were a bit down. That’s sometimes understandable, but we’ll correct it and keep working.”

While praising her players’ physical effort, Thiam said composure and maturity ultimately separated the teams.

“Physically, the girls really gave it their all. But the Nigerian team is more mature,” she added.

Despite the disappointment, Thiam believes the experience will help her squad grow. “The girls cried because they knew it was within their grasp. It was possible. But the Nigerian team is perhaps more prepared than we are. We’ll turn these regrets into something else so the girls don’t cry at the end of a match.”

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Nigeria will now face Malawi in the next qualifying round, with the winner securing a place at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.