Flamingos Secure First-Leg Victory, Set Up Crucial Return Leg Against Benin

Flamingos Secure First-Leg Victory, Set Up Crucial Return Leg Against Benin

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria U17 Women's national team, the Flamingos earned a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Benin in an entertaining first leg of the final qualifying round for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026 at the Remo Stars Stadium, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Benin struck first in the 16th minute through Yenido Gandonou, but the Flamingos responded positively, drawing level 10 minutes later when Queen Joseph found the back of the net to send the teams into the halftime break on level terms.

The hosts took the lead for the first time in the 62nd minute courtesy of Oluwakemi Adegbuyi. However, Benin refused to back down, with Nazifatou Dangui restoring parity in the 73rd minute.

Nigeria responded almost immediately as Kindness Ifeanyi scored the decisive goal just two minutes later, sealing a slender but valuable first-leg advantage for the Flamingos.

The result gives Nigeria a one-goal cushion heading into the decisive return leg, but the tie remains finely balanced with qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026 still to be decided.

Goalscorers

- 16' – Yenido Gandonou (Benin)

- 26' – Queen Joseph (Nigeria)

- 62' – Oluwakemi Adegbuyi (Nigeria)

- 73' – Nazifatou Dangui (Benin)

- 75' – Kindness Ifeanyi (Nigeria)

Next Fixture

Benin vs Nigeria Lomé, Togo

12 July