The resounding 4-0 victory by Nigeria’s U17 women’s national team over Algeria in Ikenne has drawn high praise from football stakeholders, with Ogun State Football Association Chairman and NFF Executive Board Member, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, hailing the performance as a “clear testament to the progress of youth football development in Nigeria.”
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Majekodunmi, who also serves as Chairman of the NFF Youth Committee, was present at the Remo Stars Stadium on Saturday to witness the Flamingos’ dominant display.
Goals from Queen Joseph (brace), Zainab Raji, and substitute Aishat Animashaun gave the team a strong advantage heading into the return leg of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier.
“I’m extremely proud of what I saw on the pitch today,” Majekodunmi said after the match. “This team embodies the spirit, discipline, and tactical intelligence we have been working hard to instill in our youth programs.
But while this result is commendable, the job is not finished. We must go to Algiers with even greater focus and determination.”
Majekodunmi also commended the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation for their continued support of grassroots football, singling out NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for his unwavering commitment.
“The presence of the NFF President, alongside other top executives like Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, Aisha Falode, General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, and Remo Stars FC proprietor Hon. Kunle Soname, reflects the collective drive to elevate Nigerian football,” he noted.
In a post-match gesture that underlined the importance of motivation and recognition, President Gusau announced a cash reward of N6 million for the team — N2 million from the NFF and N4 million courtesy of Hon. Soname. Majekodunmi described the incentive as “timely and well-deserved,” adding that it would serve as a major boost to the girls’ morale ahead of the decisive return leg in Algeria.
Looking ahead to the second leg in Blida, Majekodunmi emphasized the need for composure and maturity: “These girls have shown they have what it takes. Now, it’s about finishing strong and claiming our rightful place at the World Cup in Morocco.”
The return fixture is scheduled for Friday at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida, with the winner on aggregate advancing as one of Africa’s representatives at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
