Nigeria defeat Benin 8-5 on aggregate to book a place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Nigeria’s Flamingos have secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating the Benin Republic in the final round of the African qualifiers.
The Flamingos sealed their place at the tournament with a 5-3 victory in the second leg played on Saturday at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, completing an 8-5 aggregate triumph.
Nigeria had taken a slim advantage into the return fixture after recording a 3-2 win over the Young Amazons in the first leg in Ikenne, Ogun State.
Goals from Mark Akpan, Esther Stephen and Queen Joseph helped Coach Akeem Busari’s side secure another convincing victory and one of Africa’s four qualification slots.
The Flamingos will now join hosts Morocco in the expanded 24-team FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place from October 17 to November 7, 2026.
Nigeria reached the final qualifying round after thrashing Guinea 11-0 on aggregate, winning 5-0 away before completing a 6-0 victory at home.
The qualification extends Nigeria’s impressive record in the competition, with the Flamingos missing only the 2018 edition. Their best performance came in 2022 when they won the bronze medal, and they will now aim to lift the trophy for the first time on African soil.