The defending champions controlled the contest from start to finish, combining clinical finishing with defensive solidity to secure a comprehensive victory and an ideal start to their title defence.
Captain Chidi Harmony set the tone early, opening the scoring in the 16th minute with a superb strike that gave Nigeria a deserved lead. The Flamingos continued to dominate possession and created a series of chances, eventually doubling their advantage through Awawu Bashiru in the 35th minute.
Nigeria went into the half-time break firmly in control at 2-0, with goalkeeper Onyiyechi Opara barely tested. The second half followed a similar pattern as the Flamingos maintained their intensity and kept the Nigerien defence under constant pressure.
The floodgates opened late in the game. Ohunene Sunday made it 3-0 in the 83rd minute with a well-taken finish, before Mary Dunstan added a fourth just a minute later. Substitute Ayomide Rotimi completed the rout in the 94th minute, converting in stoppage time to seal a emphatic 5-0 victory.
The result underlined Nigeria’s superiority and provided head coach Akeem Busari with the perfect platform as the team continues its preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Niger struggled to create meaningful opportunities throughout the match and were unable to contain the pace and movement of the Flamingos attack. The West African side will now look to regroup ahead of their remaining group fixtures.
For Nigeria, the performance was a complete one — five different goalscorers, a clean sheet, and total control of the game. The Flamingos will aim to build on this momentum as they pursue another strong run in the regional competition.
The 2026 WAFU B U-17 Girls’ Cup continues to serve as important preparation for Nigeria’s young stars ahead of the global stage later this year.