Flamingos’ Harmony Chidi Confident of Finishing Off Benin in Second Leg
The forward says Nigeria has learned from a tougher than expected first leg and will be more clinical when the tie resumes in the return fixture.
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Flamingos striker Harmony Chidi says she is confident Nigeria will get the job done against Benin Republic in the second leg of their 2027 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying tie, despite admitting the opening game was far from straightforward.
Nigeria came away from the first leg with a narrow win, but created several clear chances they failed to convert, allowing Benin Republic to stay in the tie heading into the return fixture. Chidi acknowledged the match had been harder than the team anticipated, but said the squad is ready to be sharper and finish the job away from home.
The stakes go beyond the immediate qualifier. The Flamingos, bronze medallists at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, are chasing another appearance at the CAF U-17 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with progress in this qualifier also keeping alive their hopes of reaching the next edition of the global tournament.
Chidi, who has emerged as one of the squad’s most reliable finishers this campaign, said the players know exactly where they fell short in the first leg, insisting the group is ready to give everything to secure qualification in the second. She also thanked Nigerian fans for their support and said the squad remains committed to keeping up the country’s strong recent record in women’s youth football.
With the tie still finely poised, Nigeria will need another disciplined performance in the return leg to see off Benin Republic and move a step closer to both continental and global qualification.
Did You Know?
- Nigeria’s Flamingos won bronze at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
- The current tie against Benin Republic is a two legged qualifier for the 2027 CAF U-17 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
- Qualifying for that continental tournament also serves as a pathway to the next FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
- Nigeria secured only a narrow win in the first leg despite creating several scoring chances.
- Flamingos assistant coach Akeem Busari has also spoken publicly about the team’s approach heading into the second leg.
- Harmony Chidi has established herself as one of the squad’s most productive forwards this campaign.
- Nigeria has a strong recent record in women’s youth football, regularly reaching the latter stages of FIFA U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups.
