Flamingos edge Benin 3-2, close in on FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, took a narrow step towards qualification for the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Benin Republic’s Amazons 3-2 in a pulsating first-leg final qualifying round clash on Saturday at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

The fiercely contested encounter lived up to expectations, with both sides showcasing the quality that carried them to the final round of the African qualifiers.

Benin struck first in the 16th minute through the impressive Romaine Gandonou, who unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area that gave goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho no chance.

The early setback failed to rattle the Flamingos. Just a minute later, captain Harmony Chidi came close to levelling the scores, but her chipped effort sailed narrowly over the crossbar after a fine build-up by Queen Joseph.

Nigeria found the breakthrough in the 26th minute when Joseph produced a superb lofted finish that beat goalkeeper Elise Kounkpaga to restore parity.

Both teams continued to threaten before the break. Ijirigho denied Gandonou with a smart save in the 34th minute, while Oluwakemi Adegbuyi struck the crossbar for Nigeria shortly before half-time.

Flamingos returned with greater intensity after the interval. Chidi tested Kounkpaga with a well-struck effort in the 49th minute before Favour Nkwocha fired narrowly over the bar on the hour mark.

Nigeria’s pressure paid off in the 62nd minute when substitute Kindness Ifeanyi forced Kounkpaga into spilling her shot, allowing Adegbuyi to pounce on the rebound and give the hosts a 2-1 lead.

Benin responded 11 minutes later as Nazifatou Dangui capitalised on excellent work by Gandonou to slot past Ijirigho and draw the visitors level.

The Flamingos, however, restored their advantage almost immediately. Two minutes after conceding, Ifeanyi rose highest to power home a header from a corner kick, sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory for the hosts.

Nigeria will now travel to Lomé, Togo, for the decisive second leg at Stade de Kégué next Saturday, with the aggregate winners securing Africa’s ticket to the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.