SUNDAY April 20, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng
Nigeria’s U17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, secured a commanding 4–0 win over Algeria in the first leg of their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Saturday.
Queen Joseph scored twice, with further goals from Zainab Raji and substitute Aishat Animashaun sealing an emphatic result that puts Nigeria in a strong position ahead of the return leg in Algiers.
The hosts opened scoring just one minute into the match, when Philomena Isaiah delivered a corner which Joseph converted with a powerful strike into the roof of the net. The Flamingos doubled their lead in the 13th minute as Raji received a pass from Shakirat Moshood, beat two defenders, and rifled home a long-range effort.
Four minutes later, Joseph made it 3–0 after weaving through the defence and firing a shot past Algeria’s goalkeeper, Amelia Yahiaoui. Substitute Animashaun completed the rout in the closing moments with a curled shot from outside the box, catching Yahiaoui off guard.
Despite attempts by Algerian players, including captain Zaza Rebbahi and forward Layana Belgacem, to reduce the deficit in the second half, Nigeria’s defence—anchored by Azeezat Oduntan, Christianah Sunday, Hannah Ibrahim and Jumai Adebayo—remained resolute.
Present at the match were the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau; NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi; Executive Committee members, Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and Aisha Falode; and Remo Stars FC proprietor, Hon. Kunle Soname.
At full time, Gusau announced a combined cash gift of N6 million for the team—N2 million from the NFF and N4 million from Soname. He urged the girls to maintain their momentum in the return leg and secure Nigeria’s qualification for the tournament in Morocco.
The second leg will take place at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida, Algeria, on Friday. The winner on aggregate will qualify as one of Africa’s five representatives at the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
