Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, will head to the Stade De Kegue Stadium, Lomé on July 12 to play their second leg as they have a 3-2 win advantage over Benin in an entertaining FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match on Saturday in Ikenne, Ogen State.
The first-leg encounter at the Remo Stars Stadium lived up to expectations as both sides produced good football momentum but Nigeria U-17 is heading to Benin to play in the final round of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. As was decided, the winner over two legs will be qualified for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Morocco.
The halftime of the match between Nigeria and Benin at Remo Field took a lot of effort for the Flamingos to overcome how they are being stuck with Benin’s energetic moves, as Romaine Gandonou unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from outside the penalty area that beat Nigerian goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho on 16minute of halftime
Nigeria responded almost immediately. A minute after falling behind, captain Harmony Chidi came close to leveling the score, but her chipped effort sailed just over the crossbar after a good build-up involving Queen Joseph.
The Flamingos returned for the second half with greater attacking movement. Chidi forced another save from kounkpaga early in the half, while Favor Nkwocha narrowly missed the target with an effort on the hour mark.
Nigeria’s constant display of good moments was rewarded in the 62nd minute. Substitute Kindness Ifeanyi tested Kounkpaga with a fierce shot, and Adegbuyi reacted quickest to convert the rebound and hand the Flamingos a 2-1 lead.
The flamingos kept holding possession until 73 minutes.
Nazifatou Dangui finished off a move created by Gandonou to bring Benin back to a 2-2 draw at Remo.
As God wanted it, the hosts’ Flamingos, restored their lead in the 76th minute with a header from a corner kick as Ifeanyi Rose delivered the hosts to a home draw and make the ended on 3-2 favor of flamingo.
The result gives Nigeria a slender advantage ahead of the return leg, which will be played at the Stade Kégué in Lomé, Togo Sunday.
It is clearly stated in policy that the winner over two legs will qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Morocco.
Wishing Nigeria best of luck.
Wishing Benin the best of luck.