Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, are one step away from booking their ticket to the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after a dominant 4-0 victory over Algeria in the first leg of their final qualifying tie on Saturday at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.
Flamingos delivered a statement performance, with Queen Joseph netting twice, while Zainab Oluwaseun Raji and Aishat Animashaun also got on the scoresheet.
It took Nigeria less than a minute to open the scoring, as Joseph calmly slotted home a low cross to set the tone. In the 13th minute, Raji doubled the lead with a moment of individual brilliance, turning past her marker and firing a thunderous effort off the crossbar and in.
Joseph then produced the goal of the match in the 17th minute a stunning 25-yard rocket that crashed in off the underside of the bar to make it 3-0.
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Just after the restart, Animashaun added a fourth, latching onto a loose ball at the edge of the box and rifling in a delightful half-volley into the far corner.
With a comfortable 4-0 cushion, Nigeria head into the second leg on April 25 at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida needing only to avoid a major upset to secure qualification for Morocco 2025.
Zambia Take Slim Advantage, Cameroon and Kenya Set for Key Clash
In Ndola, Zambia edged Benin 2-1 in their first-leg fixture at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. Mercy Chipasula was the difference-maker, scoring both goals for the hosts.
Chipasula opened the scoring in the 16th minute, but Benin drew level shortly after halftime through Romaine Gandonou.
The Zambian forward struck again in the 66th minute to restore the lead, giving the Copper Princesses a slight edge heading into the return leg, which will be played at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, Benin’s adopted home ground for the tie.
Cameroon, Kenya, Ivory Coast, and Guinea Face Off on Sunday
On Sunday, Cameroon will battle Kenya at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi in a heavyweight clash between two former World Cup participants. Cameroon reached the U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2016 and 2018, while Kenya made their historic debut at the 2022 edition.
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Elsewhere, Ivory Coast will host Guinea in Abidjan, as both teams seek to qualify for the tournament for the very first time in their history.
