Nigeria’s Flamingos have qualified for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating the Benin Republic 5-3in the second leg of the final qualifying round, securing an 8-5 aggregate victory.
Playing at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, the Flamingos built on their 3-2 first-leg win in Ikenne, Ogun State, with goals from Mark Akpan, Esther Stephen and Queen Joseph helping Nigeria book one of Africa’s four qualification slots. The team had earlier thrashed Guinea 11-0 on aggregate in the previous round.
The qualification extends Nigeria’s impressive record in the competition, having featured in every edition except 2018. Coach Akeem Busari’s side will now aim to surpass its best-ever finish of third place in 2022 when the tournament takes place in Morocco from October 17 to November 7, 2026.
