Flamingos Edge Benin to Book Place at 2026 U-17 Women’s World Cup
A Queen Joseph hat trick and an 8-5 aggregate scoreline sealed Nigeria’s qualification after a five goal thriller in Lome.
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Nigeria’s Flamingos have secured their place at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after a 5-3 victory over Benin Republic at the Stade de Kegue in Lome on Saturday, completing an 8-5 aggregate win over the two legs.
Akeem Busari’s side, who had won the first leg 3-2 in Ikenne, made a fast start in the return fixture as Mark Akpan opened the scoring inside six minutes. Benin hit back almost immediately through Romaine Gandonou to level the tie.
Nigeria regained the lead before the break, with Esther Enne Stephen restoring the advantage before Queen Joseph added a second to send the Flamingos in at half-time 3-1 up. Joseph then extended Nigeria’s lead from the penalty spot nine minutes into the second half.
Benin refused to fold, pulling two goals back through Hermionne Lokossou and a second from Gandonou to make it 4-3 and set up a tense finish. Nigeria settled the contest 14 minutes from time when Joseph completed her hat-trick, sealing an 8-5 aggregate win and confirming the Flamingos’ World Cup qualification.
Attention now turns to preparations for the global tournament, which will be staged in Morocco later this year, with the Flamingos aiming to build on their past performances at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Did You Know?
- Nigeria won the tie 8-5 on aggregate after a 3-2 first leg win in Ikenne and a 5-3 second-leg win in Lome.
- Queen Joseph scored a hat trick in the second leg, including one goal from the penalty spot.
- The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be staged in Morocco later this year.
- Akeem Busari is the current head coach of Nigeria’s Flamingos.
- Nigeria’s Flamingos previously won bronze at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
- The two-legged tie against Benin was the final qualifying round for a place at the tournament.
- Nigeria conceded five goals across the two legs, a defensive record the coaching staff will look to tighten before the World Cup.
