Flamingos thrash Algeria 4-0, get N6m gift from NFF, Soname
Nigeria moved closer to an eighth appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals on Saturday after a brace by Queen Joseph and one goal each from Zainab Raji and substitute Aishat Animashaun left Algeria’s U-17 girls reeling in Ikenne-Remo.
There were signs of a rout early in the match as the Flamingos opened the scoring just one minute in, when Philomena Isaiah cut the ball back from a corner for the lurking Queen Joseph to smash into the roof of the net.
Joseph, Zainab Raji, Muinat Rotimi, Kaosarat Olanrewaju, and Shakirat Moshood continually pressed the Algerian defense, and it was no surprise when, in the 13th minute, Raji received a precise pass from Moshood, beat two defenders with a drop of the shoulder, and fired into the top corner.
The Flamingos’ bold and energetic approach clearly unsettled the visitors, who appeared to have come only to absorb pressure. Things worsened for them in the 17th minute when Joseph, dancing into the box unmarked, unleashed a powerful strike that left goalkeeper Amelia Yahiaoui helpless.
In the second half, Layana Belgacem, captain Zaza Rebbahi, Mehdi Assia, Thania Ammar Parmentier, and Melissa Benchikh tried to rally the Algerians, but they were repeatedly thwarted by the defensive line of Azeezat Oduntan, Christianah Sunday, Hannah Ibrahim, and Jumai Adebayo.
Just as the crowd—including NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF Executive Committee members Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and Aisha Falode, General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, and Remo Stars FC proprietor Honourable Kunle Soname—settled for a 3-0 finish, substitute Aishat Animashaun produced a sublime effort from outside the box, curling the ball into the far corner with Yahiaoui rooted to the spot.
After the match, NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau announced a cash reward of N6,000,000 (Six Million Naira) for the players, with two million from the NFF and four million donated by billionaire businessman Honourable Kunle Soname. Gusau urged the girls to go to Algiers and give their all to secure the World Cup ticket for Nigeria.
Both teams will meet again for the return leg at Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida, just outside Algiers, on Friday. The aggregate winner will qualify as one of Africa’s five representatives at this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
