Nigeria’s Flamingos Defeat Benin to Qualify for 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

• Nigeria’s Flamingos have booked their place at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Benin Republic 5-3 in the second leg to complete an 8-5 aggregate victory and secure qualification for the tournament in Morocco.

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have qualified for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Benin Republic 5-3 in a thrilling second-leg qualifier at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, sealing an 8-5 aggregate victory.

The victory secures Nigeria one of Africa’s qualification slots for the tournament, which will be hosted by Morocco from October 17 to November 7, 2026.

The Flamingos went into the decisive encounter with a narrow 3-2 first-leg advantage after edging Benin at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.

In that first meeting, Benin shocked the home fans when Romaine Gandonou opened the scoring with a brilliant solo effort. However, Queen Joseph restored parity with a header before Oluwakemi Adegbuyi gave Nigeria the lead early in the second half.

Benin responded through Nazifatou Dangui, who levelled the score again, but Kindness Ifeanyi struck late to hand Nigeria a crucial 3-2 victory heading into the return leg.

The Flamingos carried that momentum into Sunday’s second leg, producing another impressive attacking display against their West African neighbours.

Mary Akpan Dunstan gave Nigeria the perfect start by opening the scoring in the sixth minute, while Esther Enne Stephen doubled the advantage eight minutes later.

Queen Joseph then delivered a sensational performance, scoring a hat-trick with goals in the 20th, 54th and 75th minutes to put the tie beyond Benin’s reach.

Benin refused to give up as Romaine Gandonou completed her brace with goals in the ninth and 64th minutes, while Hermionne Lokossou also found the back of the net in the 56th minute.

Despite the spirited comeback attempt, the Flamingos held firm to secure a 5-3 victory on the day and an emphatic 8-5 aggregate win.

The result confirms Nigeria’s place at the expanded 24-team 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, where the Flamingos will join hosts Morocco as Africa’s representatives on the global stage.