Flamingos Soar Into Round Of 16 After 4–0 Rout Of Samoa

By AUGUSTUS ISICHEI

NIGERIA’S U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, have reignited their World Cup campaign in style, booking a place in the Round of 16 after a commanding 4–0 victory over Samoa at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.

It was a performance brimming with intent and confidence as Queen Joseph struck twice, Captain Shakirat Moshood calmly converted a penalty, and Azeezat Oduntan added a late goal to cap a dominant display.

Coming off a shaky start — a 1–4 loss to Canada and a narrow 0–1 defeat to France — Nigeria needed nothing short of a convincing win to keep their qualification hopes alive. And they delivered.

The breakthrough came in the 13th minute, when Joseph latched onto a deft through-pass from Moshood and chipped the ball past Samoa’s goalkeeper, Grace Ae.

Just three minutes later, Ae parried a fierce drive from Chisom Nwachukwu, but the resulting chaos saw Holly Leapai handle the ball inside the box. Moshood stepped up and made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way to double Nigeria’s lead.

The Flamingos continued to press, and in the 36th minute, Nguemo Terlumun sliced through Samoa’s defence before squaring for Joseph, who slotted home her second of the evening to make it 3–0.

Nigeria could have added to their tally before half-time when Joseph and Mariam Yahaya combined beautifully, only for Ae to pull off a fine save to deny another goal.

Early in the second half, the Flamingos won another penalty after Terlumun was brought down, but Moshood’s effort was well read by the inspired Ae.

Nigeria finally sealed the rout in the 67th minute, when Oduntan connected perfectly with a low cross to fire home the fourth goal. At the other end, goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu ensured a clean sheet with two vital saves late in the game.

The victory not only sealed Nigeria’s spot in the Round of 16 but also restored confidence in a team determined to surpass their 2022 bronze-medal finish in India.

With the knockout rounds beckoning, the Flamingos’ emphatic win sends a clear message — Nigeria are back in business and ready to chase glory in Morocco.