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Nigeria’s Falconets on Saturday secured a slim first-leg advantage in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, defeating Senegal 1-0 at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Both teams showed determination, but neither could find a breakthrough before the interval, leaving the score at 0-0 at halftime.

Substitute, Kindness Ifeanyi scored the decisive goal in the second half , heading home from a corner kick in the 50th minute to separate both sides.

She came close to doubling the advantage in the 66th minute, but the Senegalese goal keeper stretched full length to push her effort away.

The Falconets maintained their lead through disciplined defending and controlled play, with head coach Moses Aduku’s second-half substitutions helping the team sustain momentum and see out the encounter.

Nigeria’s striker Janet Akokoromowei was forced off in the first period due to injury.

Ifeanyi was later named player of the match for her match-winning performance.

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FIFA is set to deliver a crucial ruling on Monday, February 16, regarding Nigeria’s eligibility protest against DR Congo, with the Super Eagles’ hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup hanging in the balance.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) filed the formal complaint on December 15, 2025, alleging that six DR Congo players who featured in the November 2025 African playoff final were ineligible due to recent switches in international allegiance.

The match ended in heartbreak for Nigeria, as the Super Eagles lost 4–3 on penalties after a tense encounter, eliminating them from direct qualification and ending their campaign at that stage.

NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi has voiced strong confidence in the federation’s case. “We have a good case,” Sanusi stated. “We do not venture into what would be an exercise in futility. As far as we are concerned, we have a strong case, and we are awaiting FIFA’s decision on the complaints we have lodged.”

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi echoed the optimism, telling reporters: “We are still waiting; hopefully, we can go to the World Cup.”

Should FIFA rule in Nigeria’s favour, the Super Eagles would be reinstated and advance to the six-team Intercontinental Play-Off tournament scheduled for March in Mexico. A top finish in that playoff would secure one of the remaining African slots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Nigeria’s qualification hopes now rest entirely on the outcome of Monday’s high-stakes FIFA meeting, with millions of fans and the entire Nigerian football community awaiting the verdict that could rewrite the Super Eagles’ World Cup story.

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Mohamed Salah struck as Liverpool cruised into the FA Cup fifth round with a 3-0 win over Brighton on Saturday, while Marc Guehi scored his first goal for Manchester City in a 2-0 victory over fourth-tier Salford.

Brighton had beaten Manchester United in round three, but the Seagulls have been in miserable form since and were easily beaten by an improving Liverpool at Anfield.

Curtis Jones was forced to start in an unusual role at right-back due to a number of defensive injuries for the English champions and burst into the box to open the scoring from Milos Kerkez’s cross.

Salah has been a shadow of his former self for most of the season, but a second-half goal and assist could prove a major confidence boost.

The Egyptian’s cushioned pass set Dominik Szoboszlai clear to hammer in Liverpool’s second before Salah converted his 252nd goal for the Reds from the penalty spot.

Owned by Manchester United legends David Beckham and Gary Neville, Salford were playing in the fourth round for the first time in their history.

The League Two side were humbled 8-0 when they faced City in the third round last season, but pushed Pep Guardiola’s men far closer on Saturday.

“They defended really well, so tight and we didn’t attack the spaces the way we should. The game was flat until we scored the second goal,” Guardiola said.

City took an early lead through Alfie Dorrington’s own goal, but there were only nine minutes left when England defender Guehi delivered the decisive blow with his maiden goal since signing from Crystal Palace in January.

Newcastle rally

Sandro Tonali scored twice as Newcastle came from behind to beat 10-man Aston Villa 3-1.

Another opportunity for Unai Emery’s men to end a 30-year wait for silverware vanished after a first-half red card for goalkeeper Marco Bizot.

Tammy Abraham had fired the home side in front with his first goal since returning to Villa last month.

But the game swung in the Magpies’ favour when Bizot charged off his line to wipe out Jacob Murphy and deny a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Newcastle’s fightback saved the officials from an embarrassing moment, becoming more controversial when Lucas Digne’s handball, which was clearly inside the box, was given as a free-kick instead of a penalty.

With VAR not in operation at this stage of the competition, the decision could not be reviewed.

Former England captain Wayne Rooney described the incident as “one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen!”

But Newcastle levelled from the resulting free-kick anyway as Tonali’s strike deflected past the helpless Emi Martinez.

Tonali has been linked with a move to Arsenal come the end of the season and the Italian showed why he is in-demand with a blistering strike from outside the box to turn the tie around.

Nick Woltemade then netted his first goal in 15 games to take Newcastle, who last lifted the trophy in 1955, into the last 16.

Burnley gamble backfires

Third-tier Mansfield produced the upset of the day by winning 2-1 at Premier League Burnley to reach the fifth round for the first time since 1975.

Burnley boss Scott Parker made nine changes and the gamble backfired despite taking the lead through Josh Laurent’s 21st-minute goal.

Rhys Oates headed in the equaliser in the 53rd minute and Louis Reed capped a fine individual performance with a brilliant free-kick 10 minutes from full-time.

Ten-man West Ham edged through as the in-form Crysencio Summerville clinched a 1-0 win at League One Burton after extra-time.

AFP