Flamingos soar into round of 16 with dominant 4-0 win over Samoa

Flamingos soar into round of 16 with dominant 4-0 win over Samoa

By Benedicta Aboh

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, have booked their place in the Round of 16 at the ongoing 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after an emphatic 4-0 victory over Samoa on Saturday.

Queen Joseph was the standout performer, netting a brace, while Azeezat Oduntan and captain Shakirat Moshood added a goal apiece to seal a comfortable win for the West Africans in Morocco.

Needing at least a two-goal margin to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, the Flamingos rose to the occasion with a dominant display. Joseph opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Moshood doubled the lead from the penalty spot following a VAR review in the 27th minute.

The team continued to press forward, and Joseph struck again in the 34th minute after an excellent assist from Tabitha Terlumu. Moshood had the chance to extend the lead early in the second half but saw her 47th-minute penalty saved by Samoan goalkeeper Grace Ae.

Oduntan, however, made it four with a superb finish in the 68th minute, curling the ball into the top corner to cap a commanding performance.

Despite several late chances, Nigeria settled for a 4-0 win — enough to see them advance with a +3 goal difference and finish third in Group D.

With Canada topping the group after a 2-1 victory over France, the Flamingos will now face Korea DPR in the Round of 16 on Tuesday.