Flamingos Defeat Benin 3-2 to Take First-Leg Lead in FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier
Nigeria’s Nigeria women’s national under-17 football team secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Benin women’s national under-17 football team in the first leg of the final qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The exciting encounter took place on Saturday at the Remo Stars Stadium, where both teams delivered an entertaining attacking performance.
Benin Republic shocked the home supporters in the 16th minute when Romaine Gandonou fired a powerful long-range strike past Nigerian goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho to give the visitors an early lead.
The Flamingos responded positively and found the equaliser in the 26th minute through Queen Joseph, who calmly lifted the ball over Benin goalkeeper Elise Kounkpaga after sustained pressure from the hosts.
Nigeria continued to dominate after the break and eventually took the lead in the 62nd minute. Substitute Kindness Ifeanyi forced a save from the Benin goalkeeper before Oluwakemi Adegbuyi reacted quickly to score from the rebound.
Benin refused to give up and restored parity in the 73rd minute through Nazifatou Dangui, who finished off a well-worked attacking move.
However, Nigeria regained the lead just two minutes later when Kindness Ifeanyi headed home from a corner kick to seal a crucial 3-2 victory for the Flamingos.
The result gives Nigeria a narrow advantage heading into the second leg, which will be played next Saturday at Stade de Kégué.
The winner on aggregate will qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will be hosted in Morocco.
