BLIDA, Algeria – Nigeria’s Under-17 female football team, the Flamingos, have successfully secured their spot in the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco after playing a goalless draw against Algeria on Friday. The match, played at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida, saw the Flamingos demonstrate resilience and determination, ensuring their qualification for the World Cup.
The Flamingos, who earned a bronze medal in the previous edition of the tournament in 2022, entered the return leg with a comfortable 4-0 advantage from the first leg. With the pressure on Algeria to overturn the deficit, Nigeria’s young women showed remarkable composure in the hostile conditions of Blida, despite the cold weather that added an extra challenge.
The match was closely contested, with both teams fighting for supremacy to represent Africa in the prestigious tournament. However, the Flamingos held their ground and absorbed the pressure from the Algerian side. The hosts, desperate to claw back into the contest, pushed forward in search of a goal, but Nigeria’s defense stood firm, keeping the score level at 0-0.
The Nigerian team, although under pressure, relied on a calm and disciplined approach to soak up Algeria’s offensive threats. They maintained possession and utilized quick counter-attacks to create goal-scoring opportunities. Despite their better chances, the Flamingos were unable to capitalize on their dominance in possession, failing to convert their opportunities into goals. However, the 0-0 draw was enough to secure their place in the World Cup, with a 4-0 aggregate victory over Algeria.
The Flamingos’ qualification for the 2025 U-17 Women’s World Cup is a significant achievement, and it confirms Nigeria’s status as one of the leading nations in women’s youth football. This will be the third time Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s team has qualified for the tournament since its inception in 2008. The tournament, scheduled to take place in Morocco from October 17 to November 5, will feature 24 teams for the first time, with Nigeria joining the hosts, Morocco, and other African teams in the competition.
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s football team has a rich history in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, with the Flamingos consistently performing well on the global stage. They have only failed to qualify for the tournament once, in 2018, when Uruguay hosted the competition. This failure stands in stark contrast to their other achievements, which include a bronze medal in the 2022 tournament and a strong showing in previous editions.
The 2025 tournament will be the first time that the World Cup will feature 24 teams, making it an even more competitive and exciting event. The Flamingos will now look to build on their qualification and prepare for the tough competition that awaits them in Morocco. As one of Africa’s five representatives, including the hosts Morocco, the Nigerian girls will be aiming to continue their success on the international stage and challenge for another medal.
The Flamingos’ journey to the World Cup has been a testament to the hard work, dedication, and skill of the team. Their resilience in the face of pressure during the second leg against Algeria demonstrated the strength of their character. While they were unable to add more goals to their tally, the team’s focus and determination ensured that they would not be denied their place in the World Cup.
For now, the Flamingos can celebrate their hard-earned qualification as they prepare for the next challenge in Morocco. With their strong track record in previous tournaments, Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s team will be one of the teams to watch at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
