COTONOU (Interstat) — Romaine Gandonou scored twice in the first 17 minutes and Benin W defeated Mali W 3-1 at home on Thursday. Gandonou opened the scoring in the 12th minute, then added her second goal in the 17th. Milhad Sadikou made it 3-0 in the 47th minute, and Mali W pulled one back in the 54th. The home side held on from there, securing the victory after a fast start and a strong second-half opening.

Benin W’s early pressure produced the breakthrough. Gandonou struck in the 12th minute, and the home side did not wait long to add another. Another Gandonou goal in the 17th minute gave Benin W a 2-0 lead before halftime. The quick start forced Mali W to chase the match from an early deficit, and the visitors struggled to find an immediate response.

Benin W kept control for much of the first half. The home side moved the ball with purpose and found gaps in Mali W’s defensive shape. Mali W tried to steady itself and create a response, but Benin W’s compact play limited the visitors’ best opportunities before the break. Benin W went into halftime with a two-goal advantage and momentum.

Sadikou extended the lead in the 47th minute, scoring early in the second half to put Benin W ahead 3-0. The goal came after Benin W resumed the match with the same attacking intent it had shown in the opening minutes. Sadikou played the full 90 minutes and finished with one goal. Her strike gave the home side a comfortable cushion and forced Mali W to take more risks.

Mali W answered in the 54th minute, scoring to cut the deficit to 3-1. The goal gave the visitors a needed spark, and Mali W pushed more players forward in search of another goal. Benin W, however, absorbed the pressure and prevented Mali W from building a sustained comeback. The visitors’ goal was their only scoring play of the match.

Gandonou’s performance stood out for Benin W. She played all 90 minutes and scored twice, including the opening goal and the second goal that gave the home side early separation. Her movement and finishing set the tone for Benin W’s attack and kept Mali W’s defense under stress throughout the first half. The two-goal showing was the centerpiece of Benin W’s offensive effort.

Sadikou’s second-half goal proved important as well. It restored Benin W’s three-goal advantage after halftime and gave the home side room to manage the remainder of the match. Sadikou also went the full 90 minutes, contributing one goal to Benin W’s total. Her goal came in the 47th minute, just after the second half began.

Benin W’s record in the competition is 0 wins, 0 losses, and Mali W’s record in the competition is 0 wins, 0 losses. Both teams are also 0 wins, 0 losses across all competitions. The result gave Benin W the home victory, while Mali W left with the defeat after conceding three times before the visitors scored. Benin W scored in the 12th, 17th and 47th minutes, while Mali W scored in the 54th.

The match was a home game for Benin W, with Mali W as the visiting team. Benin W’s three goals came from Gandonou and Sadikou. Mali W’s lone goal arrived in the 54th minute. The final score was Benin W 3, Mali W 1. The result left Benin W with the win and Mali W with the loss.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Benin W 1, Mali W 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Benin W with a 65.3 percent probability to win. Those projections were made before the match.