Nigeria’s Flamingos sealed qualification to the Round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco after a commanding 4-0 victory over Samoa on Sunday in Rabat.
Queen Joseph was the star of the night with a brace, taking her tally to three goals in the competition while captain Shakirat Moshood converted a penalty and defender Azeezat Oduntan added a spectacular fourth from the flank.
Following a 4-1 defeat to Canada in their opening match and a narrow loss to France, the Flamingos entered the encounter knowing only a convincing win would keep their knockout-stage hopes alive. They began aggressively and were rewarded in the 13th minute when Joseph calmly lifted the ball beyond goalkeeper Grace Ae after a fine assist from Moshood.
Moshood doubled the advantage from the spot in the 27th minute after Samoa’s Holly Leapai handled inside the area. Nine minutes later, Nguemo Terlumun, a constant threat in attack, beat her marker before setting up Joseph for Nigeria’s third.
Just before halftime, Joseph and Mariam Yahaya combined brilliantly but the Samoan goalkeeper denied the fourth with a fine save.
Moshood had a chance to extend the lead seconds into the second half but Ae saved her second penalty of the match. The Flamingos, however, continued to push and Oduntan finally made it 4-0 in the 67th minute with a cross-shot that flew into the net.
Goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu also produced two sharp saves to preserve Nigeria’s clean sheet.
The result confirms Nigeria’s progression from the group stage, keeping alive hopes of another podium finish after winning bronze at the 2022 edition in India.
The Flamingos will face Italy in the Round of 16 as the knockout battle intensifies for the world title in Morocco.
