Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, have advanced to the Round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco following a commanding 4-0 victory over Samoa in Rabat on Saturday.
Queen Joseph starred with a brace to take her tally to three goals in the tournament, while captain Shakirat Moshood converted from the spot and defender Azeezat Oduntan added a stunning fourth to seal the emphatic win.
Needing a big result to qualify after earlier defeats to Canada (1–4) and France (0–1), the Flamingos showed intent from the onset and took the lead in the 13th minute when Joseph latched onto Moshood’s clever pass and lifted the ball beyond goalkeeper Grace Ae.
Moshood doubled the advantage in the 27th minute from the penalty spot after Samoa’s Holly Leapai handled the ball in the area. The Nigerian captain sent Ae the wrong way to make it 2-0.
Nine minutes later, Nguemo Terlumun’s dazzling footwork created space for a low cross, which Joseph calmly tucked away for her second of the night and Nigeria’s third.
Nigeria nearly made it four just before halftime when Mariam Yahaya’s effort was denied by Ae, and Moshood later saw her second penalty saved early in the second half after Terlumun was fouled in the box.
The Flamingos eventually completed the rout in the 67th minute as Oduntan’s cross from the right sailed past everyone and nestled into the net for the fourth goal.
Goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu also made key saves to preserve the clean sheet, ensuring Nigeria’s progression to the knockout stage. The result sees the Flamingos, bronze medallists at the 2022 edition in India, continue their pursuit of another strong finish on the world stage.
