The Flamingos progressed with an 8-5 aggregate triumph, showcasing attacking brilliance and resilience in a high-scoring affair that delighted Nigerian fans.
Dominant Display in Lomé
Coach Akeem Busari’s side wasted no time asserting dominance. Mary Dustan opened the scoring in the 6th minute, but Benin responded quickly to level the score. Nigeria regained the lead through Esther Stephen in the 15th minute, before Queen Joseph struck in the 20th minute to make it 3-1 inside the opening 20 minutes.
Benin fought back bravely, but the Flamingos maintained control. Queen Joseph sealed the emphatic win with her second goal of the match in the 76th minute, completing a memorable performance.
Second Leg Result: Nigeria 5-3 Benin Aggregate: Nigeria 8-5 Benin
First Leg (Ikenne): Nigeria 3-2 Benin
Key Performers
- Queen Joseph — Brace and standout performer
- Mary Dustan & Esther Stephen — Early goals that set the tone
- The entire Flamingos squad for their clinical finishing and composure under pressure
Historic Qualification
This victory marks another proud milestone for Nigerian women’s youth football. The Flamingos now join the world’s best at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, where they will look to build on Nigeria’s strong reputation in youth women’s competitions.
The qualification highlights the depth and talent in Nigeria’s girls’ football pipeline, with many of these players tipped for bright futures in the senior Super Falcons setup.
Well done, Flamingos! This achievement is a testament to hard work, tactical discipline, and attacking flair under Coach Akeem Busari.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Flamingos’ preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.