Nigeria's Flamingos pip Benin in pulsating thriller

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...As Black Maidens of Ghana earn late draw in Dakar 

...Kenya shock South Africa, Zambia beat Ethiopia

 By Maxwell Kumoye

 


Nigeria's Flamingos produced a spirited display to defeat neighbours Benin Republic 3-2 in a pulsating first-leg encounter of the third round of the CAF qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, while Ghana's Black Maidens rescued a dramatic late 1-1 draw away to Senegal.

The Nigerian girls overcame an early setback to secure a crucial first-leg advantage ahead of the return fixture, with Kindness Ifeanyi emerging the hero after heading home the decisive goal.

Benin stunned the hosts in the 14th minute when Romaine Gandonou fired the visitors into the lead. 

However, the Flamingos responded positively, with Queen Joseph restoring parity in the 25th minute to ensure both teams went into the break level.

Nigeria returned for the second half with renewed purpose and took the lead through Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, whose strike in the 62nd minute put the Flamingos ahead for the first time.

The contest took another twist in the 73rd minute as Nazifatou Dangui equalised for Benin, setting up a tense finale.

But the Flamingos refused to be denied, and just two minutes later, Kindness Ifeanyi rose highest to head home the winner in the 75th minute, giving Nigeria a deserved 3-2 victory and a slender advantage heading into the decisive second leg.

Elsewhere, Ghana left it late to earn a valuable 1-1 draw against Senegal in Dakar.

The hosts had taken the lead through Mariama Faty in the 22nd minute and looked set to carry a slim advantage into the return leg before Benedicta Nketiah Danso struck in the 85th minute to hand the Black Maidens a crucial away draw.

In other third-round first-leg fixtures, Kenya pulled off one of the biggest surprises by defeating South Africa 2-0 away from home. 

Faith Boke opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Brenda Achieng sealed the impressive victory with a second goal in the 60th minute.

Zambia also claimed a narrow 2-1 home win over Ethiopia. Precious Mwewa gave the Young Copper Queens an early lead in the 14th minute before Mihret Ayele equalised for Ethiopia on 40 minutes. 

Phidah Muzuwa restored Zambia's advantage in the 54th minute to hand the hosts a valuable first-leg lead.

With Nigeria holding a one-goal cushion, Ghana returning home with a favourable draw, Kenya taking a commanding away victory and Zambia edging Ethiopia, the race for places in the final round of the CAF qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco remains finely poised ahead of the return legs.




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