Despite wintry conditions in Blida, on the outskirts of the Algerian capital, Algiers, Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, dug in their heels and earned a crucial 0-0 draw against Algeria on Friday night, securing their qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
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Holding on to a commanding 4-0 first-leg advantage, the Flamingos remained calm and composed, absorbing the pressure from the hosts while creating dangerous counter-attacks.
Despite having the majority of possession and creating the better chances, the Flamingos could not convert their dominance into goals. However, the scoreless draw was enough to send them through on a 4-0 aggregate win.
The difference over the two legs came down to the Flamingos’ dominant first-leg performance, where they took a commanding 4-0 lead. A brace from Queen Joseph and goals from Zainab Raji and substitute Aisha Animashaun sealed the victory for Nigeria in the first leg, leaving the Algerians with an uphill battle in the return leg.
Now, with their ticket to Morocco secured, the Flamingos will be one of Africa’s five representatives at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will take place from October 17 to November 5, 2025. This edition of the tournament will feature 24 teams, a first in the competition’s history.
Since the launch of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2008, Nigeria has missed the finals only once—during the 2018 tournament in Uruguay. With their continued dominance in the competition, the Flamingos will now focus on preparing for the World Cup and their quest to add to their legacy.
