The Flamingos of Nigeria on Saturday, beat their Algerian counterparts 4-0 in the first leg of their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying tie.
The match played at the Remo Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, saw the Nigerian girls dominating Algeria in a relentless attacking display and an airtight defense.
It was Queen Joseph who stole the show, scoring two early goals that set the tone for what would become an unforgettable display. In the 3rd minute, Joseph received a well-timed through ball, coolly slotted it past the Algerian goalkeeper, and put Nigeria 1-0 up. Just 13 minutes later, she found the back of the net again, this time in the 16th minute, with a powerful shot that left Algeria scrambling to respond.
As Algeria struggled to regain their footing, Nigeria’s relentless pressure continued. Zainab Oluwaseun added a third goal in the 13th minute, completing a dazzling offensive sequence that had the Nigerian fans roaring with pride.
The Flamingos showed no sign of slowing down. With a 3-0 lead, they dominated possession and controlled the tempo of the game. Algeria, while showing flashes of resistance, failed to break through Nigeria’s solid defense, which kept a clean sheet throughout the match.
The final goal came in dramatic fashion during injury time, as Aishat Animashaun added the finishing touch in the 90th minute, securing the 4-0 scoreline and leaving Nigeria firmly in control of the tie.
The result puts Nigeria in a commanding position ahead of the second leg, with a four-goal advantage as they prepare to travel to Algiers. The Flamingos’ performance today was a testament to their skill, determination, and ambition as they aim to make their mark on the global stage at the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
