Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, secured a place in the Round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco after a commanding 4–0 win over Samoa in Rabat.
Queen Joseph led the charge with two goals, bringing her total to three in the tournament, while team captain Shakirat Moshood converted a penalty, and defender Azeezat Oduntan sealed the win with a stunning strike from the wing.
The Nigerian girls came into the game fully aware that only a high-margin victory could guarantee their progression, following a tough 1–4 loss to Canada in their opening match and a narrow 0–1 defeat to France three days earlier. Determined to turn things around, they went straight to work and were rewarded just 13 minutes into the match when Joseph latched onto a precise pass from Moshood and lofted the ball into the net beyond goalkeeper Grace Ae.
Three minutes later, Ae denied Chisom Nwachukwu with a smart save, but she could do nothing in the 27th minute when Moshood calmly converted from the spot after Samoa’s Holly Leapai handled the ball inside the box during a corner kick.
Nigeria continued to dominate possession, and in the 36th minute, Nguemo Terlumun—a constant threat to the Samoan backline—dribbled through defenders before sending a fine cross to Joseph, who slotted home her second of the day and Nigeria’s third.
Moments before halftime, a clever exchange between Joseph and Mariam Yahaya nearly produced another goal, but Yahaya’s strike was parried by Ae.
Barely a minute into the second half, Nigeria missed the chance to extend their lead when Moshood’s second penalty attempt was saved by Ae after Terlumun was fouled inside the box.
The Flamingos, however, maintained their pressure and were eventually rewarded in the 67th minute when Oduntan scored a brilliant fourth goal, wrapping up a superb team performance. Between both halves, goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu also made two crucial saves to keep Nigeria’s clean sheet intact.
With this emphatic win, the Flamingos, bronze medalists at the 2022 tournament in India, booked their place in the Round of 16, showing resilience and determination after a difficult start to their campaign.
What You Should Know
The Flamingos, Nigeria’s U17 women’s national team, have once again proven their strength on the global stage by advancing to the Round of 16 in Morocco.
Their 4–0 victory over Samoa showcased their attacking prowess, with standout performances from Queen Joseph and Captain Shakirat Moshood leading the charge.
