Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Benin Republic’s young Amazons at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, on Saturday, taking a crucial advantage into the second leg of the final round of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The visitors stunned the home crowd in the 16th minute when Romaine Gandonou finished off a brilliant solo run to hand Benin an early lead, but Nigeria responded five minutes later through Queen Joseph, who rose highest to power home a header and restore parity.
The Flamingos took control after the break, with Oluwakemi Adegbuyi tapping in from close range in the 62nd minute after Kindness Ifeanyi’s initial effort was parried by the Benin goalkeeper.
Benin hit back through Nazifatou Dangui to level the contest at 2-2, before Ifeanyi reacted quickest inside the box in the 75th minute to restore Nigeria’s lead and seal a vital home win.
Head coach, Akeem Busari, had said ahead of the game that his side expected a fiercely contested encounter, with the return leg scheduled for July 11 in Benin Republic and one of Africa’s four qualification slots for the Morocco finals at stake. Related News FULL LIST: 16 countries chasing WAFCON 2026 glory Super Falcons unveil 10-star jersey ahead of WAFCON 2026 WAFCON favourites Nigeria eye World Cup slot, record prize money
