Nigeria Flamingos Claim 3-2 Victory in Five-Goal Thriller Against Benin as Quest for 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Continues

The Nigeria U17 Women's National Football Team (Flamingos) showed great resilience to defeat Benin Republic 3-2 in the first leg of their final round qualifier for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Saturday, 4 July 2026.

FULL-TIME | Nigeria Flamingos 3-2 Benin U17
A thrilling five-goal encounter at Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo!

Goal Scorers:
⚽️ Yenido Romaine Gandonou 14’ (Benin)
⚽️ Queen Joseph 25’ (Nigeria)
⚽️ Oluwakemi Adegbuyi 62’ (Nigeria)
⚽️ Nazifatou Dangui 73’ (Benin)
⚽️ Ifeanyi Kindness 75’ (Nigeria)

Flamingos Qualification Journey

Nigeria received a bye in the first round and advanced straight to the second round. They then dismantled Guinea as follows:

• 23 May 2026 – Guinea 0-5 Nigeria (Abidjan) Goals: Harmony Chidi (1', 12', 39'), Oluwakemi Adegbuyi (37'), Dunstan (56')

• 31 May 2026 – Nigeria 6-0 Guinea (Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne) Goals: Oluwakemi Adegbuyi (9', 32'), Harmony Chidi (21', 34'), Queen Joseph (23'), Oscar (70')

Deadly Players for Nigeria: The Flamingos boast several standout performers including Queen Joseph, Harmony Chidi, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, and Ifeanyi Kindness, who have consistently delivered goals and key contributions throughout the qualifiers.

Benin Qualification Journey

Benin had a more challenging route to the final round:

• First Round vs Burkina Faso

  • 11 April 2026 – Burkina Faso 3-1 Benin (Goals: Sana 7', 14', Simporé 20'; Gandonou 70' pen.)

  • 17 April 2026 – Benin 4-0 Burkina Faso (Goals: Gandonou 31', 50', 57', 90' pen.)

• Second Round vs Sierra Leone

  • 25 May 2026 – Benin 3-0 Sierra Leone (Goals: Gandonou 16', 67', Dogbé 57')

  • 29 May 2026 – Sierra Leone 1-2 Benin (Goal: Deen 23'; Dangui 69', Gandonou 77')

Deadly Player for Benin: Yenido Romaine Gandonou has been the standout performer for the Amazons, scoring multiple goals across all rounds and proving a constant threat with her pace and clinical finishing.

Nigeria Flamingos 3-2 Benin U17 -GOALS & HIGHLIGHTS - FANS POV -FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier
https://youtu.be/OQCOwnAsHE8

2026 African U-17 Women's World Cup qualification - Third Round (Final Round) – All First-Leg Results (4 July 2026)

• Nigeria 3-2 Benin (Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne)

• Senegal 1-1 Ghana (Dakar)

• Zambia 2-1 Ethiopia (Ndola)

• South Africa 0-2 Kenya (Atteridgeville)

Return Legs

• Benin vs Nigeria – Stade de Kégué, Lomé, Togo (12 July, 2026)

• Ghana vs Senegal – Accra Sports Stadium (11 July, 2026)

• Ethiopia vs Zambia – Addis Ababa (12 July, 2026)

• Kenya vs South Africa – Nairobi (12 July, 2026)

On the Road to Morocco

Four African nations will qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup which will be hosted by Morocco. The Flamingos hold a narrow advantage, but face a tough test against a dangerous and resilient Benin side led by Gandonou in the return leg in Lomé.

Success would see Nigeria join hosts Morocco, making it five African teams at the finals. Can Nigeria Flamingos deliver in the second leg against Benin?