Nigeria’s Flamingos moved a step closer to securing a spot at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals with a dominant 4-0 victory over Algeria in Ikenne-Remo on Saturday.
A brace from Queen Joseph, along with goals from Zainab Raji and substitute Aishat Animashaun, left the Algerian girls struggling throughout the encounter.
Signs of a rout appeared early, as Queen Joseph found the net just one minute into the match. A corner kick from Philomena Isaiah was cleverly cut back into the box, allowing Joseph to smash the ball into the roof of the net.
The Flamingos, led by the relentless energy of Joseph, Zainab Raji, Muinat Rotimi, Kaosarat Olanrewaju, and Shakirat Moshood, continued to pile pressure on the visitors. In the 13th minute, Raji doubled the lead, receiving a sweet pass from Moshood, beating two defenders with a slick move, and firing a rocket into the top corner.
Nigeria’s bold and aggressive style left the Algerians reeling, and things worsened in the 17th minute when Joseph dribbled her way into the box and blasted an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Amelia Yahiaoui.
In the second half, Algerian players Layana Belgacem, captain Zaza Rebbahi, Mehdi Assia, Thania Ammar Parmentier, and Melissa Benchikh attempted to mount a response, but the Flamingos’ defense, marshaled by Azeezat Oduntan, Christianah Sunday, Hannah Ibrahim, and Jumai Adebayo, held firm.
Just as the match seemed set to end 3-0, substitute Aishat Animashaun added a stunning fourth goal, curling a superb effort from outside the box into the far corner, leaving Yahiaoui stranded.
After the game, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, announced a cash reward of six million naira for the team — two million naira from the NFF and four million naira donated by businessman Hon. Kunle Soname.
Gusau urged the girls to remain focused and give their best in the return leg in Algiers to seal Nigeria’s qualification.
The second leg is scheduled for Friday at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida, with the winner on aggregate advancing as one of Africa’s five representatives at this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
