THE Flamingos of Nigeria defeated Benin Republic 3-2 today in the first leg of their final qualifying round tie for this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
It was a keenly-contested encounter at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, with the visitors proving tough for the favourites.
Benin Republic forward Romaine Gandonou opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a left-footed rocket from the edge of the Flamingos box, beating goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho.
The goal did not unsettle the Flamingos, and they pulled level in the 26th minute, when Queen Joseph scored from a lob that left Benin goalkeeper Elise Kounkpaga helpless.
Ijirigho had to be on the alert to save from Gandonou in the 34th minute, but nine minutes later the Flamingos also came close as Oluwakemi Adegbuyi’s chip rocked the crossbar.
In the second half, the Flamingos added some urgency to their game, with Chidi seeing her well-taken shot saved by Kounkpaga in the 49th minute, before Favour Nkwocha struck the ball narrowly over the bar on the hour.
In the 62nd minute, the Flamingos went into the lead when Kounkpaga spilled substitute Kindness Ifeanyi’s shot, and Adegbuyi was close enough to stab the ball into the net.
The Amazons equalized 11 minutes later, with Nazifatou Dangui shooting past Ijirigho after good work by Gandonou opened up the Flamingos’ defence.
Two minutes later, the Flamingos restored their lead, as Ifeanyi rose above everyone else to nod the ball into the net from a corner kick.
The return leg will take place at the Stade Kegue in Lome, Togo on Saturday next week, with the winners guaranteed a spot in this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to be hosted by Morocco.
