Nigeria secures Round of 16 spot in 2025 U-17 Women’s World Cup

The Nigeri U-17 women’s national team have qualified for the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after battering debutants Samoa 4-0 in the final group D match at the Football Academy Mohammed VI in Salé, Morocco on Saturday.

A brace from Queen Joseph and goals from captain Shakirat Moshood and Nguemo Terlumun, was all coach Bankole Olowookere side needed to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

Nigeria had earlier lost their first two group games, facing a 4-1 bashing from Canada before suffering a 1-0 defeat to France.

The Falmingos broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when a pass from Moshood found Joseph who wasted no time to fire home the lead before, In the 28th minute the captain double the advantage when she converted from the spot after a handball was called.

Player of the match, Joseph completed her brace and give Nigeria their third goal in the 34th minute when she converted from close range through a Nguemo Terlumun pass, ending the first half with a 3-0 lead.

The Flamingos captain had the opportunity to add a fourth from the spot early in the second half, but her identically-placed effort was easily saved by Grace Ae.

However, the shot-stopper was unable to keep out Oduntan’s curling effort in the 67th minute as Samoa bowed out.

Reacting to his sides victory coach Olowookere said after the disappointing start, his players are happy to still compete in the tournament and hope to remain contenders.

“Our start was disappointing and we tried to make up for that. The girls are happy now, they still want to take part in the tournament, they don’t want to go home.”

“So they just had to bring a good game to make sure that we could remain one of the contenders of this tournament. It’s good that we have strong opposition, to prepare us for the next game. We have to work on those areas where they were able to penetrate from our team.”

Up next for Nigeria is a knockout clash against Italy, a side that is yet to lose a match in this tournament.

⚽ Follow Pan-Africa Football across platforms for real-time news and stories.