2025 W/Cup qualifier: Flamingos thrash South Africa 3-1 in Pretoria

By Olaolu Joseph

Nigeria’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, on Saturday defeated their hosts, South Africa’s Bantwana, 3-1 to take a strong step toward the final round of the qualification series for this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Four-goal scorer at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic last year, Shakirat Moshood, finished with aplomb in the 20th minute to put the 2022 FIFA U-17 World Cup bronze medallists ahead at the Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium in Pretoria.

Harmony Chidi, who scored 13 goals in the qualifying series for last year’s finals, made no mistake from six yards as she converted a penalty to double the Flamingos’ lead.

Bantwana stayed in the contest by pulling one back through a penalty two minutes after the break, converted by Malebana. However, the prolific Harmony Chidi restored Nigeria’s cushion with her second goal in the 68th minute.

Both teams will clash again in the return leg at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo next Saturday.

The winner will advance to the final round of the qualifiers, where the four victorious teams will join hosts Morocco as Africa’s representatives at this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled for 17th October – 5th November.