By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s U17 girls, popularly known as the Flamingos, defeated their hosts, South Africa’s Bantwana, 3-1 on Saturday to take a strong step towards the final round of the qualification series for the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
Four-goal scorer at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic last year, Shakirat Moshood, finished with aplomb in the 20th minute to put the 2022 FIFA World Cup bronze medallists ahead at the Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium in Pretoria. Harmony Chidi, who netted 13 goals in last year’s qualifiers, then made no mistake from six yards as Nigeria was awarded a penalty.
Bantwana kept the Flamingos within reach by converting a penalty two minutes after the break, courtesy of Malebana, but the prolific Harmony Chidi restored Nigeria’s cushion with a third goal in the 68th minute.
Both teams will meet again in the return leg at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo next Saturday.
The winner will advance to the final round of qualifiers, where four teams will qualify to join hosts Morocco as Africa’s representatives at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled for 17 October to 5 November.
