Nigeria’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, took a step toward qualifying for their eighth FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Saturday, handing Algeria a 4-0 thumping at the Remo Stars Stadium, in the first leg of the final qualifying round.
A first-minute goal by Queen Joseph set the tone for the one-sided affair, with the young Nigerians overwhelming the Algerians with pace, flair, and aggression in front of an animated home crowd.
Joseph, Raji, Animashaun Lead the Charge in Four-Star Performance
Barely 60 seconds into the encounter, Philomena Isaiah’s clever cutback from a corner found Queen Joseph, who hammered home into the roof of the net, leaving goalkeeper Amelia Yahiaoui stunned.
It didn’t take long for the Flamingos to double their advantage. In the 13th minute, Zainab Raji received a brilliant assist from Shakirat Moshood, glided past two defenders with a deft drop of the shoulder, and rifled into the top corner.
Four minutes later, Joseph bagged her brace, dancing past her markers before launching an unstoppable strike to make it 3-0, as the Algerians struggled to contain Nigeria’s fluid attack.
In the closing moments of the game, substitute Aishat Animashaun capped a dominant performance with a sublime effort from distance, curling the ball into the far corner to seal the 4-0 win.
Algeria’s Resistance Falls Short Despite Second-Half Effort
Algeria’s captain Zaza Rebbahi and midfielders Layana Belgacem and Thania Ammar Parmentier tried to mount a response in the second half,
However, Nigeria’s defensive unit — anchored by Azeezat Oduntan, Christianah Sunday, Hannah Ibrahim, and Jumai Adebayo — held firm to preserve a clean sheet.
VIP Support, Cash Motivation: Gusau and Soname Splash N6 Million
Among the dignitaries in attendance were NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Executive Committee members Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and Aisha Falode, General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, and Remo Stars FC owner Hon. Kunle Soname.
After the game, Gusau announced a cash reward of N6 million for the team, with N2 million from the NFF.
One Step Away: Blida Awaits as Morocco 2025 Beckons
The Flamingos will now travel to Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida, just outside Algiers, for the return leg on Friday, April 25.
With a 4-0 cushion, they are firm favorites to secure one of Africa’s five tickets to the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco (October 17 – November 5).
If the team completes the task, it will mark Nigeria’s eighth appearance at the global showpiece, as they aim to surpass their historic third-place finish in 2022.
