Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, will go into next week’s crucial second leg with a slight edge after beating Benin Republic 3-2 in an exciting FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match on Saturday in Ikenne, Ogun State.
The first match at the Remo Stars Stadium was thrilling as both teams showed strong attacking play in the final round of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The visitors shocked the home supporters in the 16th minute when Romaine Gandonou fired a powerful left-foot shot from outside the box that left Nigerian goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho with no chance.
Nigeria quickly replied. Just a minute after falling behind, captain Harmony Chidi almost equalized. Her chipped shot went just over the crossbar after a great build-up play involving Queen Joseph.
The pressure paid off in the 26th minute when Joseph scored with a clever lob, catching Benin goalkeeper Elise Kounkpaga off guard.
Benin almost took the lead again in the 34th minute, but Ijirigho made a crucial save to deny Gandonou. Just before halftime, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi came close to scoring for Nigeria, but her shot hit the crossbar.
The Flamingos came back for the second half with more attacking spirit. Chidi forced Kounkpaga into another save early in the half, and Favour Nkwocha just missed the target with a shot around the hour mark.
Nigeria’s hard work paid off in the 62nd minute. Substitute Kindness Ifeanyi had a powerful shot saved by Kounkpaga, and Adegbuyi was quick to score from the rebound, putting the Flamingos ahead 2-1.
But the lead didn’t last long. Just 11 minutes later, Nazifatou Dangui finished a move started by Gandonou to level the score at 2-2.
However, Nigeria quickly regained the lead. Two minutes after Benin’s equalizer, Ifeanyi headed in from a corner kick, scoring what turned out to be the winning goal.
This result gives Nigeria a narrow advantage heading into the second leg, which will take place at the Stade Kégué in Lomé, Togo, next Saturday.
The winner over the two legs will qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
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