Soccer
Nigeria’s Flamingos are on the verge of making it to the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after cruising to an excellent 4-0 first-leg victory over Algeria in Ikenne on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Flamingos, runners-up at the last tournament in the Dominican Republic, delivered a dominant display at the Remo Stars Stadium to put themselves firmly in control of their final qualifying tie.
Queen Joseph starred with a brace, while Zainab Oluwaseun Raji and Aishat Animashaun also got on the scoresheet in a one-sided affair.
Queen Joseph Opening goal for Nigeria Flamingos against Algeria U17 – 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier pic.twitter.com/TcyIMeFoxw
— Dr. Victor Ademola (@AdemolaVictorTv) April 19, 2025
It took just one minute for Nigeria to get going, with Joseph calmly finishing off a low cross to open the scoring.
Zainab Oluwaseun goal to double the lead for Nigeria Flamingos against Algeria U17 – 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/xiDG1CGTIP
— Dr. Victor Ademola (@AdemolaVictorTv) April 19, 2025
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Raji doubled the lead in the 13th minute, showing fine close control to get past her marker before releasing a thunderous shot past the goalkeeper off the crossbar.
Joseph then produced the moment of the match four minutes later with a thunderous 25-yard strike that cannoned in off the underside of the bar to make it 3-0.
Queen Joseph 2nd goal for Nigeria Flamingos against Algeria U17 – 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/LM2DlxhmMm
— Dr. Victor Ademola (@AdemolaVictorTv) April 19, 2025
The fourth came shortly after the break, with Animashaun smashing a delightful half volley into the far corner from the edge of the area.
Aishat Animashaun Goal for Nigeria Flamingos Against Algeria U17 – 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/bLte9c6ozw
— Dr. Victor Ademola (@AdemolaVictorTv) April 19, 2025
The second leg will be played on April 25 at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida. With a 4-0 cushion, Nigeria need only avoid a major collapse to confirm their place at Morocco 2025.
Elsewhere, Zambia battled to a narrow 2-1 home win over Benin at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Mercy Chipasula scored both goals for the Copper Princesses, giving them a slender advantage ahead of next week’s second leg.
Chipasula opened the scoring in the 16th minute, but Benin hit back after the break through Romaine Gandonou. With the game finely poised, Chipasula struck again in the 66th minute to restore Zambia’s lead.
The return fixture will take place at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, where Benin are using as a temporary home ground.
Meanwhile, Cameroon – qualifiers to the World Cup in 2016 and 2018 – will aim to return to the Mundial when they battle against Kenya on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
Kenya, who qualified for their first U17 Women’s World Cup last year, will be looking to make history again.
Ivory Coast and Guinea will also meet on Sunday in Abidjan, as both sides seek to qualify for the U17 World Cup for the first time.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.
From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.
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