Flamingos Punch World Cup Ticket, Overpower Benin 5-3 in Qualifier

Nigeria’s national U-17 women's football team, the Flamingos, have successfully booked their slot in the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. This achievement came after they overcame Benin’s Amazons with a 5-3 victory in Lomé on Saturday, sealing an emphatic 8-5 aggregate win over two legs.

Coach Akeem Busari’s squad continued their impressive form, building on their 3-2 first-leg success recorded last weekend in Ikenne, Ogun State. The return fixture showcased another strong attacking performance from the Nigerian side. Mary Dustan put the Flamingos ahead in the sixth minute, but Benin quickly responded, drawing level just three minutes later, setting up a fiercely contested match.

The Flamingos quickly reasserted their dominance, with Ester Stephen scoring in the 15th minute. Queen Joseph then further extended Nigeria’s lead to 3-1 by the 20th minute. Benin displayed tenacity, netting two more goals to reduce the deficit and briefly reignite their hopes. However, the Nigerian team responded decisively, adding two more goals to secure a thrilling 5-3 win and confirm their qualification for the global showpiece.

The commanding 8-5 aggregate triumph highlighted Nigeria’s offensive prowess throughout the qualifiers, as Coach Busari's team netted eight goals while conceding five across both matches. Reflecting on the hard-fought victory, Coach Busari stated, "I’m proud of the players’ determination and attacking spirit. They showed resilience and deserved this qualification."

The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is slated to take place in Rabat, Morocco, from October 17 to November 7, bringing together the world’s top youth football talents.