
Ikenne, Nigeria – Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s team, the Flamingos, soared closer to a historic World Cup berth with a clinical 2-0 dismantling of South Africa’s Bantwana in a pulsating qualifier at the Remo Stars Stadium on Saturday. In front of a supportive home crowd, Bankole Olowookere’s side turned up the heat with a dominant display, booking their ticket to the final round of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
The Flamingos, relentless from the first whistle, finally broke Bantwana’s resistance in the 37th minute when rising star Harmony Chidi—now the joint-top scorer in the qualifying series—pounced on a defensive lapse to slot home her third goal of the campaign. Chidi’s ice-cool finish sent the Ikenne faithful into raptures, setting the stage for a relaxed second-half.
Eleven minutes after the restart, Aishat Animashaun delivered the knockout blow, converting her chance to double Nigeria’s lead and extinguish any hope of a Bantwana comeback and winning the tie 5-1 on aggregate. The Flamingos’ high-pressing intensity and fluid attacking moves left their rivals chasing shadows, enhancing their reputation as Africa’s most electrifying young talents.
What Next?
With this victory, Nigeria now awaits the winner of the Botswana-Algeria clash in the final qualifying round, where a single aggregate triumph will secure their spot at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco (October 17 – November 8).