By Victor Kanayo
Nigerian youngsters, mostly known as Flamingos on Friday night secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the eighth time in the competition’s history.
Since the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup competition was launched in New Zealand in 2008, Nigeria have failed to make the finals only once – the 2018 tournament hosted by Uruguay.
In 2025, the Flamingos grabbed their place in the global championship after beating Algeria 4-0 on aggregate.
The four goals were scored in the first leg of the encounter in Ikenne, Ogun State, one week ago.
Reverse Grip
However, the second leg ended in a draw as Nigeria’s U17 girls pressed for more goals under intense cold weather exposure in Blida, on the outskirts of Algiers in Algeria.
Holding on to a 4-0 first-leg advantage, the 2002 bronze medallists adopted a calm and collected pattern that easily soaked up the expected pressure from the hosts, and then relied on fast breaks to try and pull the trigger on their opponents.
Eyes On The Ball
Although, they created the better chances on the night, the Flamingos failed to make dominance in possession pay, but swiftly collected the ticket to Morocco.
The difference over two legs of the final round was a remarkable display in the opening leg by the Flamingos, during which a brace by Queen Joseph, and one each by Zainab Raji and substitute Aisha Animashaun ensured a 4-0 win.
Nigeria will now be one of Africa’s five representatives (including hosts Morocco) at this year’s global championship finals taking place October 17 to November 5.
The final competition will entertain 24 teams for the very first time.
