Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, claimed a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Benin in the first leg of the final qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup at the Remo Stars Stadium on Friday.
Benin struck first through Yenido Romaine Gandonou in the 14th minute, but the Flamingos responded 10 minutes later as Queen Joseph restored parity.
Softfootball gathered, after the break, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi fired Nigeria into the lead in the 62nd minute before Benin equalised again through Nazifatou Dangui in the 72nd minute, setting up a tense finish.
Substitute Ifeanyi Kindness emerged as the match-winner, scoring just three minutes after Benin’s equaliser to hand the Flamingos a 3-2 first-leg advantage.
Goals:
- 14′ – Yenido Romaine Gandonou (Benin)
- 24′ – Queen Joseph (Nigeria)
- 62′ – Oluwakemi Adegbuyi (Nigeria)
- 72′ – Nazifatou Dangui (Benin)
- 75′ – Ifeanyi Kindness (Nigeria)
The victory gives Coach Hakeem Busari’s side a slender advantage ahead of the return leg away from home, where the aggregate winner will secure a place at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
