Nigeria’s Under-17 female football team, the Flamingos, on Saturday, defeated visiting Bantwana of South Africa, 2-0 in the return leg of their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture.

The match played at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun, saw the Flamingos scoring in both halves of the game.

The victory qualified Nigerian girls for the final qualifying round on a 5-1 aggregate after triumphing 1-3 against the South Africans on their soil penultimate week.

Harmony Chidi, who scored two goals in the first leg, nodded home from an acute angle in the 37th minute off Shakirat Moshood’s well-taken free kick.

Chidi then turned provider in the 11th minute of the second half when she found Aishat Animashaun, who beat Samekelise Mthembu in goal for South Africa.

The trio of Zoe October, Thoriso Mphelo and captain Katleho Malebana impressed in the Bantwana’s attack but couldn’t penetrate the Nigerian back line.

The Flamingos will face the winner of the game between Botswana and Algeria in April.

The 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Morocco from October 17 to November 8.

Africa will present five teams, including host Morocco, at the finals, which has been expanded to a 24-nation championship.

(NAN)