Benin Republic’s U-17 women’s national team has stepped up preparations for its decisive final-round qualifier against Nigeria’s Flamingos in the race for a place at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Young Amazons have opened camp at the Missérété Excellence Centre, where head coach Idah Azonsou has invited 30 players ahead of the highly anticipated encounter.
The Beninese side earned their place in the final qualifying round after a commanding 5-1 aggregate victory over Sierra Leone, a result that underlined their growing strength in women’s youth football.
Azonsou Set to Trim Squad
Coach Azonsou is expected to reduce his provisional squad before naming the final group of players that will face the Flamingos over two legs.
Nigeria, one of Africa’s strongest teams at youth level, will host the first leg at the Remo Stars Sports Complex on Saturday, July 4. The return fixture is scheduled for a week later at the Kégué Stadium in Lomé, Togo.
The winner on aggregate will secure one of Africa’s coveted places at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Flamingos Chasing Another World Cup Appearance
The Flamingos have built a reputation as one of the continent’s leading youth teams and will be aiming to book another appearance on the global stage.
However, Benin Republic’s impressive qualifying campaign suggests they could provide a stern test for the Nigerian side.
With both teams just two matches away from the World Cup, the upcoming ties are expected to be fiercely contested and could play a significant role in shaping the future of women’s football in both countries.
The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Morocco and is scheduled to take place from October 17 to November 8.
