Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have qualified for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after securing an 8-5 aggregate victory over Benin Republic in the qualifying play-off.
The Flamingos sealed their place at the tournament with a 5-3 win in the second leg at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, claiming one of Africa’s four qualification slots for the global competition.
Nigeria took a slender 3-2 lead into the decisive encounter after the first leg at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State. Benin Republic had taken an early lead through Romaine Gandonou’s individual effort before Queen Joseph equalised with a header. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi then put Nigeria ahead after the interval, only for Nazifatou Dangui to restore parity for the visitors. Kindness Ifeanyi’s late strike, however, secured the first-leg advantage for the Flamingos.
In Lomé, Nigeria made a fast start as Mary Akpan Dunstan opened the scoring in the sixth minute, while Esther Enne Stephen doubled the advantage eight minutes later.
Queen Joseph was the standout performer for the Flamingos, completing a hat-trick with goals in the 20th, 54th and 75th minutes to help Nigeria maintain control of the tie.
Benin Republic responded with goals from Gandonou in the ninth and 64th minutes, while Hermionne Lokossou also found the net in the 56th minute, but Nigeria held firm to secure a decisive victory.
The qualification confirms the Flamingos’ participation at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place in Morocco from 17 October to 7 November 2026.
Nigeria will join Morocco and other African representatives at the expanded 24-team tournament, with the continent set to have five teams competing for the global title.
