Nigeria's Flamingos have booked their place at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup after producing a thrilling 5-3 victory over Benin Republic in the second leg of the final qualifying round played in Lomé, Togo.

The emphatic away win secured an 8-5 aggregate success for Bankole Olowookere's side, who entered the decisive fixture with a slender 3-2 advantage from the first leg in Ikenne.

The result sends Nigeria to a record-extending appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, where they will join hosts Morocco and three other African representatives at the expanded 24-team tournament scheduled for October 17 to November 7, 2026.

The Flamingos wasted little time asserting themselves, taking the lead just six minutes into the contest through Mary Akpan, whose early strike settled the Nigerian side.

Benin responded almost immediately as Romaine Gandonou restored parity, but the Flamingos quickly regained control of the encounter.

Esther Enne Stephen restored Nigeria's lead in the 15th minute before Queen Joseph announced herself on the scoresheet four minutes later, giving the visitors a comfortable cushion before the halftime whistle.

Nigeria maintained their attacking intensity after the restart and were rewarded when Joseph calmly converted a penalty in the 54th minute to make it 4-1 on the day.

Refusing to surrender, Benin mounted a spirited comeback. Hermionne Lokossou reduced the deficit before Gandonou converted from the penalty spot to raise hopes of an unlikely turnaround.

With momentum beginning to shift, Joseph once again delivered when it mattered most. The prolific forward completed her hat-trick in the 76th minute, restoring Nigeria's two-goal advantage and effectively ending Benin's resistance.

The entertaining eight-goal contest highlighted the attacking quality of both teams, but Nigeria's superior cutting edge and composure in front of goal ultimately proved decisive.

Qualification for the global tournament reinforces the Flamingos' status as one of Africa's leading youth teams and continues Nigeria's rich tradition at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

Having secured their place in Morocco, the Flamingos will now turn their attention to preparations for the tournament, where they will be aiming to build on their impressive performances from previous editions and challenge for the title on the world stage.