CAF Greenlights Venue Switch for Nigeria's Crucial World Cup Qualifier
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially approved the Nigeria Football Federation's (NFF) request to change the venue for the upcoming 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup qualifier against Senegal. This decision comes after concerns were raised about the playing surface at the originally scheduled stadium.
Match Relocated from Ibadan to Abeokuta
The first-leg match, which was initially set to take place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Saturday, 7 February 2026, will now be hosted at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State. This venue change was necessitated by the deteriorating condition of the pitch in Ibadan, which officials deemed unsuitable for such an important fixture.
Ruth David, the NFF's Director of Competitions, confirmed that the request for relocation was driven by the unsuitability of the playing surface. According to her statements, the pitch condition had worsened since earlier inspections, making it inadequate for a match of this magnitude. Although the stadium had previously hosted the Falconets' second-round qualifier against Rwanda in September, it could no longer guarantee a fair and safe environment for the players.
Falconets Prepare for Crucial Encounter
Following CAF's approval, Nigeria's U-20 women's team, known as the Falconets, are expected to relocate their training camp from Ibadan to Abeokuta in the coming days. This move will allow the players to acclimatize to the new pitch and facilities ahead of the decisive clash. The Falconets reached this stage of qualification impressively, demolishing Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate in the previous round, which has boosted their confidence as they face a tougher test against Senegal.
Toritseju Williams, a Nigerian football expert, expressed support for CAF's decision, stating that it ensures the Falconets can play on a quality surface. He emphasized that this could help the team secure a positive result before the second leg in Dakar.
High Stakes in World Cup Qualification
The Nigeria versus Senegal tie represents the third round of African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Poland from 5 to 27 September 2026. The return leg will be played in Dakar on 14 February, with the aggregate winner advancing to the final qualifying round. Only four African teams will qualify for the World Cup finals, making every match crucial for both nations.
Senegal arrives in formidable form after thrashing Algeria 6-0 on aggregate to secure their place in this tie. For Nigeria, the venue change to Abeokuta could prove significant, as it allows the Falconets to leverage familiar conditions and home support before heading to Dakar for the challenging away leg.
Background and Recent Rewards
This development follows recent successes for the Falconets, including a reward of ₦22 million from Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for their emphatic 4-0 win against Rwanda in the previous qualifier. Nigeria's U-20 women's team has shown strong performance, and this venue change aims to support their continued progress in the qualification campaign.
CAF's approval of the venue change underscores the importance of maintaining high standards in football infrastructure, especially for critical matches that determine World Cup participation. As the Falconets prepare for their upcoming challenge, all eyes will be on Abeokuta to see if the new venue can provide the boost needed for a successful qualification bid.
