Flamingos qualify for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

Despite wintry conditions in Blida, on the outskirts of the Algerian capital Algiers on Friday night, Nigeria’s U-17 girls held Algeria to a scoreless draw, securing qualification for this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals.

Holding a 4-0 first-leg advantage, the 2008 bronze medallists adopted a calm and composed approach, soaking up the hosts’ pressure and launching quick counterattacks.

Though they created better chances, the Flamingos could not convert their dominance into goals, but comfortably advanced to Morocco with a 4-0 aggregate win.

The first-leg performance was decisive, with a brace from Queen Joseph and goals from Zainab Raji and substitute Aisha Animashaun giving Nigeria a strong lead.

The Flamingos will now be one of Africa’s five representatives (including hosts Morocco) at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals scheduled for 17 October – 5 November. This edition will feature 24 teams for the first time.

Since the tournament’s inception in New Zealand in 2008, Nigeria have missed the finals only once — in 2018, when Uruguay hosted.