The road to Morocco 2025 is nearing its end, and for Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, just one final hurdle remains – Algeria.
On Saturday, 19 April, the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne will host the first leg encounter in the final round of the African qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
While it’s being billed as a contest, this tie already carries the scent of a mismatch.
On paper – and indeed on grass – this is a classic David versus Goliath scenario. But the only stones Algeria will need are courage, organisation, and luck. Because Nigeria, at this level, are African royalty.
The Flamingos are the most successful African side in the history of the U17 Women’s World Cup.
Of the eight editions held since 2008, Nigeria have featured in seven, reaching the quarterfinals five times.
Their best-ever finish came in 2022, when they stunned the USA in a dramatic quarterfinal shootout before clinching bronze – Africa’s first podium finish in the tournament’s history.
Their qualification record is even more staggering: in 28 games across U17 World Cup qualifying campaigns, Nigeria have lost just once – a slender 1-0 defeat to Ghana in Accra, way back in 2008. The rest? 20 wins and seven draws. It’s a record built on dominance, talent, and discipline.
And with head coach Bankole Olowookere still at the helm, the Flamingos look well-oiled and razor-sharp once again.
The girls have been in camp at the Remo Stars Sports Institute since dispatching South Africa with calm authority last month – a 3-1 away win in Pretoria and a 2-0 home victory in Ikenne sealing a 5-1 aggregate.
In contrast, Algeria’s U17 women’s team are only just starting to find their feet. They made their debut less than a decade ago – in 2015 – and are yet to qualify for a World Cup. This is new terrain, and Saturday’s clash will mark the first-ever meeting between both nations at this level.
But they’ve shown resilience to reach this stage. After edging Tunisia 1-0 on aggregate in the first round, Algeria bounced back from a 2-1 away loss to Botswana with a commanding 4-0 win at home to progress 5-2 on aggregate. They may not be heavyweights yet, but they are no walkovers either.
Still, facing Nigeria, especially away from home, is a different kind of test. Their senior team felt that pressure in October last year, losing back-to-back friendlies to the Super Falcons in Nigeria.
A place in Morocco 2025, plain and simple. With the World Cup expanding to 24 teams this year and five African nations set to qualify (including hosts Morocco), there’s more room – but the margins remain razor-thin.
The aggregate winner over two legs – the return fixture is set for 25 April in Blida, outside Algiers – will grab one of Africa’s coveted tickets to the global showpiece.
