By Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line
SEVEN TIMES African title holders and defending African U17 female football champions, the Flamingoes of Nigeria on Saturday at Remo Stars Stadium in Shagamu got a stiff opposition in the Young Amazon’s of Benin Republic with a comeback 3-2 win in the first leg 3rd round last hurdle to the African world cup qualifier.
The Heavens opened up with rain when the Young Amazon’s arrived the Stadium singing hymns in the rain that stopped football fans coming to watch as the stands were near empty.
Romaine Gandonou opened scoring 14th minute when the Flamingoes were not expecting the fast shot but Joseph equalized for Nigeria in the 25th minute. Ref. Josephine Wanyiku of Kenya was over careful in handling the match.
Kemi Adegbuyi the NPFL women queen who missed several chances at goal scored the 2nd goal for Nigeria in the 62nd minute only for elastic Dangui to this time equalize for Benin in the 73rd minute but Ifeanyi Kindness took away the joy of the Amazon Babes for the match to end in a draw when she found the net in the 75th minute for the winner.
Both teams have unsettled matter to decide in the second leg at the Stade De Kegue, Lome-Togo on 12th July at 2pm in the 2nd leg.
This is the 2nd time both countries will meet at this level as the 1st meeting of 19th December 2024 ended 2-0 in favor of Nigeria. Benin has never been to the world cup finals where Nigeria has flown her flags 8 times. Nigeria’s best was a 4th place in 2022 losing the Bronze to Germany via 2-3 penalty kicks after 3-3 of 120 minutes.
To reach the 3rd round, Nigeria slashed Guinea 11-0 on aggregate while Benin dealth with Sierra Lone 5-1 on aggregate.
There will be four slots for Africa at the world finals. Ghana today forced Senegal to 1-1 draw and will play the 2nd leg in Accra on 11th July at 3:30pm. Ghana ousted Liberia 8-0 on aggregate while Senegal cleared off Cameroon 5-4 on penalties after a two legged encounters ended goalless.
Zambia also today struggled to a 2-1 Win at home and will face Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on 12th July at 12 noon. Zambia dismissed DR Congo 7-0 on aggregate while Ethiopia edged Burundi 4-2 on aggregate.
The Xenophobic plague still troubled South African girls as they lost at home 0-2 to Kenya and will need more than Zulu support to upset Kenya at the National Stadium Nairobi on 12th of July at noon. South Africa had stamped out Tanzania 2-0 on aggregate while Kenya made extra effort to win on away goals after 1-1 in Uganda and 0-0 at home.
For the 2nd time, 24 teams will vie for honours in the grande finale taking place in Morocco 17th October to 7th November 2026 as 4 teams will come from Concacaf, 4 teams from CONMEBOL, 2 from OFC, 5 from EUFA and 5 including the host nation Morocco from CAF.
Korea won the trophy back-to-back and will be available to defend their title achieved thrice now in a row.
The Koreans beat Netherlands at the last grande finale.
#FIFA #WORLDU17FEMALE #CAF
#NFF #BFF.
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