Nigeria’s Flamingos opened their 2026 WAFU B U17 Girls’ Cup title defence with a commanding 5-0 win over Niger Republic in Yamoussoukro on Wednesday.
Quick facts
- Competition: 2026 WAFU B U17 Girls’ Cup
- Result: Nigeria 5-0 Niger Republic
- Scorers: Harmony Chidi, Awawu Bashiru, Ohunene Sunday, Mary Dunstan and Ayomide Rotimi
- Venue: Yamoussoukro
- Key outcome: Nigeria kept a clean sheet and began its title defence with three points
Nigeria took control from the opening whistle, keeping the ball and setting the rhythm. Captain Harmony Chidi put the Flamingos ahead in the 16th minute, a reward for their early authority.
The second goal required greater patience before Awawu Bashiru finished clinically to extend the advantage. Adegbuyi also found the net, but the effort was disallowed for offside. Niger offered little threat before the break, with Nigeria goalkeeper Onyiyechi Opara facing no serious test during the first half.
The Flamingos maintained their attacking intent after the interval. Niger struggled to cope with Nigeria’s speed and invention, while the tournament holders continued to build carefully in search of further goals.
That persistence finally produced a late surge. Ohunene Sunday struck in the 83rd minute for 3-0, and Mary Dunstan soon added a fourth, leaving the Nigerien side overwhelmed.
Nigeria completed the scoring in stoppage time when Ayomide Rotimi converted in the 94th minute. The emphatic result highlighted the Flamingos’ squad depth, discipline and attacking quality, while the five-goal margin and clean sheet sent an early warning to the rest of the field.
