Nigeria 3-2 Repubblica del Benin: i Flamingos prendono il vantaggio di gara di qualificazione per la Coppa del Mondo

Nigeria's U-17 women's team, known as the Flamingos, delivered a thrilling 3-2 victory over Benin Republic's Amazons in the first leg of their World Cup qualifier match at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State. The match, held on Saturday, marked a significant step forward for Nigeria in its quest to secure one of Africa's four spots in the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. The outcome gave the Flamingos a crucial advantage heading into the second leg, set for July 11 in Benin Republic.

From the outset, the game showcased intense competition and tactical discipline from both teams. Benin struck first in the 16th minute when Romaine Gandonou, playing for the visiting Amazons, capitalized on a solo run to fire a powerful left-footed shot past Nigerian goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho. However, Nigeria quickly regrouped and equalized just moments later. Captain Harmony Chidi, leading the charge, headed in a well-placed cross from Queen Joseph to restore balance. This early exchange set the tone for a tightly contested match.

As the first half progressed, both teams continued to test each other's defenses. Nigeria's Oluwakemi Adegbuyi came close to scoring in the 34th minute, but her effort was thwarted by a last-ditch save from Benin's Elise Kounkpaga. In contrast, Benin's attack remained dangerous, with Gandonou once again threatening to extend their lead. Yet, Nigeria's resilience shone through, particularly in the 62nd minute when substitute Kindness Ifeanyi's initial shot was saved, allowing Adegbuyi to tap in the rebound and give Nigeria a 2-1 lead.

Benin, determined to reclaim the initiative, responded swiftly. Just 11 minutes later, Nazifatou Dangui converted a chance created by Gandonou to level the score at 2-2. The tie was far from over, though, and Nigeria's determination led them to the breakthrough they needed. In the 75th minute, Ifeanyi once again stepped up, reacting faster than the defenders to head home a corner kick and secure the win for the Flamingos.

Coach Akeem Busari had anticipated a tough challenge, emphasizing the importance of the match in the broader context of the qualifiers. He noted that Nigeria's consistent performance in previous rounds—most notably an 11-0 aggregate win over Guinea—had prepared the team for such a competitive encounter. Captain Harmony Chidi echoed this sentiment, expressing confidence in the squad's preparation and commitment to making Nigerians proud.

This result positions Nigeria favorably for the second leg, which will take place at the Stade Kégué in Lomé, Togo. The outcome of the two-leg series will determine whether Nigeria advances to the next stage of the qualifiers. Meanwhile, other matches in the final round include Senegal vs. Ghana, Zambia vs. Ethiopia, and South Africa vs. Kenya, all vying for the remaining African slots in the World Cup.

The match highlighted the growing competitiveness of women's football in Africa, with both teams displaying technical skill and tactical awareness. As the qualifiers progress, the focus remains on maintaining momentum and ensuring that Nigeria continues to perform at its best in the pursuit of a spot in the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.