Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, secured a place in the final round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers after defeating South Africa’s Bantwana 2-0 on Saturday.
The victory sealed a dominant 5-1 aggregate win for Nigeria in the penultimate round of the qualifying series.
Harmony Chidi, who scored twice in the first leg, added to her tally in the 37th minute with a well-placed header that put the visitors under pressure, having already lost the first leg 1-3 at home.
Shakirat Moshood, another key performer from the first leg, delivered a precise free-kick that set up Aishat Animashaun for Nigeria’s second goal in the 56th minute.
Animashaun skillfully lobbed the ball over South African goalkeeper Samekelise Mthembu to extend the Flamingos’ lead.
Despite strong performances from South Africa’s Zoe October, Thoriso Mphelo, Khmezi Khoza, and captain Katleho Malebana, the Nigerian defensive line—anchored by Hannah Ibrahim, Jumai Adebayo, Philomena Isaiah, and Favour Iheagwam—held firm to keep a clean sheet.
With this win, the Flamingos advance to the final round of the qualifiers, where they will face the winner of the Botswana vs. Algeria clash next month.
