Nigeria 4 Algeria 0: Joseph brace, Raji and Animashaun goals put Flamingos on brink of WWC qualification

Nigeria's U-17 women's national team, the Flamingos, took a significant step toward qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco with a commanding 4-0 win over Algeria on Saturday evening at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

 A brace from forward Queen Joseph and powerful strikes from Zainab Oluwaseun Raji and Aishat Animashaun sealed the win for the hosts in the first leg of their final qualifying round.

Joseph wasted no time in setting the tone, calmly finishing a low cross from inside the box to put Nigeria ahead in the opening 60 seconds. The early lead unsettled the Algerians, and the Flamingos pressed forward with relentless intent.

Their dominance paid off again in the 13th minute when Raji doubled the lead, converting from close range after a well-worked attacking move.

Just four minutes later, Joseph completed her brace with a stunning long-range effort from 25 yards out. 

Her strike beat the Algerian goalkeeper, crashing in off the bar to make it 3-0 before halftime.

Despite Algeria's efforts to keep the scoreline respectable, Aishat Animashaun added a fourth for Nigeria with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box, curling the ball into the bottom right corner.

The return leg is scheduled for April 25 at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida, where the aggregate winner will clinch a coveted spot at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Nigeria, quarter-finalists at the last edition in the Dominican Republic, will head into the second leg with a healthy advantage and sights firmly set on another global appearance.

Adeyemi Adewale

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