By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria inched closer to an eighth appearance at the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals on Saturday after thrashing Algeria 4-0.
The goals were made possible via a brace by Queen Joseph and one each by Zainab Raji and substitute Aishat Animashaun in Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria.
There were bold hints of a massacre early in the day as the Flamingos got on the scoreboard only one minute into the match, after Philomena Isaiah cut the ball back into the box 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 swarmed the Algerians time and again, and it was no surprise when, in the 13th minute, Raji received a sweet pass from Moshood, accounted for two defenders with a drop of the shoulder, and unleashed a rocket into the top corner.
The bold, audacious and vivacious approach of the Flamingos greatly unsettled the visitors, who apparently came to soak the pressure, and things got worse for them in the 17th minute when Joseph, left to dance into the box, struck a belter that left goalkeeper Amelia Yahiaoui with no chance.
Layana Belgacem, captain Zaza Rebbahi, Mehdi Assia, Thania Ammar Parmentier and Melissa Benchikh all tried to take the game to the Flamingos in a busy second period, but they were checkmated each time by the rearguard of Azeezat Oduntan, Christianah Sunday, Hannah Ibrahim and Jumai Adebayo.
Both teams will make it a date in the return leg at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida (outside Algiers) on Friday, with the winner on aggregate to qualify as one of Africa’s five flag-bearers at this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in Morocco.
