Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, defeated their counterparts from the Republic of Benin, the Amazons, 3-2 on Saturday in the first leg of a final round qualifying fixture for this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals, boosting their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
It was a keenly contested encounter at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, with both teams underscoring the qualities that have taken them to Africa’s final round of the qualifying series.
The Bénin Republic’s forward, Romaine Gandonou, who was a thorn in the flesh of the Nigerian rearguard all evening, scored the game’s first goal in the 16th minute with a left-footed rocket from the edge of the eighteen-yard box, to which Nigeria’s goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho had no answer.
Nigeria responded in the 25th minute as Queen Joseph rose highest to power home a well-placed header, restoring parity at 1-1 and shifting momentum back to the Flamingos.
The second half saw Nigeria take control of proceedings. In the 62nd minute, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi tapped in from close range after Kindness Ifeanyi’s effort was parried by the Benin goalkeeper, giving the hosts a 2-1 advantage.
However, the contest remained tightly balanced as the Republic of Benin’s Nazifatou Dangui struck back to level the score at 2-2, putting pressure on the Flamingos in front of their home supporters.
Nigeria’s decisive moment arrived in the 75th minute when Kindness Ifeanyi reacted quickest inside the box to restore the lead at 3-2, finishing calmly to seal a vital win for the hosts.
The result gives the Flamingos a crucial advantage heading into the second leg of the final qualifying round, with a place at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco at stake.
The return leg will take place at the Stade Kegue in Lome, Togo, on Saturday next week, with the winner guaranteed a spot in this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals to be hosted by Morocco.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
