U-17 WWC q’fiers: Flamingos win Algeria 4-0, Olowookere celebrates
U-17 WWC q’fiers: Flamingos win Algeria 4-0, Olowookere celebrates
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s coach, Bankole Olowookere, expressed delight after his Flamingos demolished Algeria 4-0 in the first leg of their final U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Saturday.
“I’m grateful to God for the Flamingos 4-0 win against Algeria today in Ikenne. I appreciate the support from Nigerians who came out in their large numbers to cheer the Flamingos to victory,” Olowookere said on X after the match.
The Flamingos, Africa’s most successful side at U-17 level, inched closer to securing their eighth appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals after a brace by Queen Joseph and one each by Zainab Raji and substitute Aishat Animashaun left their Algerian counterparts bedraggled.
The Nigerian girls demonstrated their intent from the start, hitting the scoreboard just one minute into the match when Philomena Isaiah cut the ball back into the box from a corner for the lurking Joseph to smash into the roof of the net.
Joseph, Raji, Muinat Rotimi, Kaosarat Olanrewaju and Shakirat Moshood continued to swarm the Algerians time and again. In the 13th minute, Raji received a sweet pass from Moshood, accounted for two defenders with a drop of the shoulder, and unleashed a rocket into the top corner to make it 2-0.
Things got worse for the visitors in the 17th minute when Joseph, left to dance into the box, struck a belter that left goalkeeper Amelia Yahiaoui with no chance, completing her brace and extending Nigeria’s lead to 3-0.
In the closing moments, just as the crowd were certain it had ended 3-0, substitute Aishat Animashaun sent a sublime shot from outside the box in the far corner with goalkeeper Yahiaoui stranded.
After the match, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau announced a cash gift of N6 million for the girls, explaining that N2 million is from the NFF while N4 million is a gift from billionaire businessman Hon. Kunle Soname. Gusau charged the girls to go to Algiers and play their hearts out to win the World Cup ticket for Nigeria.
“The road to Morocco 2025 is almost complete, and we want to reduce the pressure of the return leg by securing a big win at home,” Olowookere had told thenff.com ahead of the match.
“We have been working very hard to correct the lapses noticed in our last matches (against South Africa), and we believe we are in good form to achieve a handsome win here and then go all out in the second leg in Algeria.”
The Flamingos are now in pole position to qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, having reached seven of the eight previous tournaments. Under Olowookere’s guidance, the team secured a historic bronze medal finish in 2022 in India – the country’s and Africa’s best finish at the tournament.
Both teams will meet again in the return leg at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida (outside Algiers) on Friday, with the winner on aggregate to qualify as one of Africa’s five flag-bearers at this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in Morocco.
This year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Morocco from October 17 to November 8, with Africa to present five teams (including host nation Morocco) at the finals, which has been expanded to a 24-nation championship.
