Flamingos edge Benin 3-2 to take first-leg advantage in World Cup qualifier

Nigeria's U-17 women's team, the Flamingos, edged out Benin Republic 3-2 in an entertaining first leg of their FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup qualifying match. The encounter, held at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, saw both teams deliver an attacking performance in the final round of the African qualifiers for the 2026 tournament.

Benin stunned the home crowd in the 16th minute when Romaine Gandonou struck a powerful left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, beating Nigerian goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho. Nigeria's response was swift. Captain Harmony Chidi nearly equalized a minute later, but her effort sailed just over the crossbar. The pressure eventually paid off in the 26th minute when Queen Joseph leveled the score with a well-executed lob over Benin goalkeeper Elise Kounkpaga.

Benin came close to regaining the lead in the 34th minute, but Ijirigho made a crucial save to deny Gandonou. Nigeria's Oluwakemi Adegbuyi also had an opportunity just before halftime, only to see her shot hit the crossbar. The Flamingos returned for the second half with increased attacking intent. Chidi forced another save early on, and Favour Nkwocha narrowly missed the target around the hour mark.

Nigeria's persistence paid off in the 62nd minute. Substitute Kindness Ifeanyi tested Kounkpaga with a fierce shot, and Adegbuyi reacted quickest to convert the rebound, giving the Flamingos a 2-1 lead. However, the advantage was short-lived. Benin's Nazifatou Dangui equalized in the 73rd minute, finishing a move created by Gandonou. The hosts quickly restored their lead two minutes later when Ifeanyi headed home from a corner kick, securing the 3-2 victory.

The result gives Nigeria a slender advantage heading into the return leg, scheduled for next Saturday at the Stade Kégué in Lomé, Togo. The winner over the two legs will qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, which will be hosted by Morocco.