Nigeria’s Flamingos are through to the Round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco after a commanding 4–0 victory over Samoa on Saturday night.
The win at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat ensured the 2022 bronze medallists advanced from the group stage, bouncing back strongly after earlier defeats to Canada and France.
Queen Joseph was the star of the show, scoring twice to take her tally to three goals in the tournament. Captain Shakirat Moshood converted a first-half penalty, while defender Azeezat Oduntan sealed the result with a superb cross-shot midway through the second half.
The Flamingos entered the contest needing a convincing win to keep their hopes alive and wasted no time asserting control. They opened the scoring after just 13 minutes when Joseph latched on to a perfectly weighted pass from Moshood and lifted the ball past Samoan goalkeeper Grace Ae.
Three minutes later, Ae did well to push away a long-range effort from Chisom Nwachukwu, but there was nothing she could do when Moshood doubled Nigeria’s advantage from the penalty spot in the 27th minute after Holly Leapai handled the ball inside the area.
Flamingos of Nigeria. Photo Credit: X
Nigeria’s third goal came in the 36th minute through another well-worked move. Nguemo Terlumun, who troubled the Samoan defence throughout, beat her marker on the flank and sent in a low cross that Joseph calmly tucked home for her second of the game.
Joseph almost turned provider just before half-time, combining neatly with Mariam Yahaya, but the forward’s shot was saved by Ae to keep Samoa within reach.
Player of the match performance from Queen Joseph Photo Credit: X
The second half began in similar fashion as the Flamingos continued to dominate. Moshood had the chance to score again from the spot after Terlumun was brought down, but her penalty was well read by the Samoan goalkeeper.
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Nigeria’s persistence finally paid off in the 67th minute when Azeezat Oduntan’s curling cross from the right sailed into the far corner of the net to make it 4–0.
Goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu produced two brilliant saves late on to preserve the clean sheet and cap a strong all-round team performance.
The result means Nigeria finish the group stage with three points and a positive goal difference, enough to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
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The Flamingos will now await confirmation of their Round of 16 opponents as they continue their quest to better their 2022 bronze-medal finish.
