The Oyo State Government has announced that Ibadan will host the Nigerian U-20 women’s national football team, the Falconets, when they face Rwanda in an important FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match.

The game, which is the second leg of the qualifier for the 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup, will take place on September 27 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the Oyo State Executive Council, which was presided over by the Acting Governor, Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal.

According to the government, the approval to host the national team is not just about providing a match venue but also about creating a comfortable environment for the Falconets to prepare well before the crucial encounter.

The state has earmarked ₦110 million to cover expenses such as accommodation, feeding, transportation, security, and other logistics for the team and officials during their stay in Ibadan.

Officials further explained that hosting the Falconets carries great value for Oyo State.

Apart from boosting the morale of the national team ahead of the game, it will also serve as motivation for local footballers and young talents in the state to aim for higher levels of success, including playing for Nigeria at international competitions.

The Falconets, who are among Africa’s strongest female youth teams, will be aiming to qualify for the next edition of the U-20 Women’s World Cup, having consistently reached the later stages of the tournament in previous years.

The match against Rwanda is expected to draw fans from across Ibadan and beyond, making it a big event for football lovers in the region.