Nigeria vs Algeria: Flamingos ready for North African test as race for Morocco 2025 World Cup heats up

Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, have ramped up their preparations ahead of Saturday’s crucial FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round first leg against Algeria, Soccernet.ng reports.

The tie, which takes place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, is a significant step towards securing one of Africa’s five spots at the expanded 24-nation tournament in Morocco later this year.

Under the guidance of head coach Bankole Olowookere and his technical crew, the Flamingos have remained in camp at the Remo Stars Sports Institute since their emphatic dismissal of South Africa’s Bantwana in the previous round.

Pictures from the National Women's U17 team (Flamingoes) training this evening.

They are billed to face Algeria U17 women in the final round of qualifying for the 2025 U17 in Morocco. pic.twitter.com/x5uzIfTOa8

— @rajimuzamil (@MuzamilRaji) April 3, 2025

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The 2022 World Cup bronze medallists cruised to a 5-1 aggregate win — beating South Africa 3-1 in Pretoria before sealing the job with a 2-0 victory on home soil.

Nigeria Flamingos 2 vs 0 South Africa Bantwana (Aggregate 5 vs 1 )

Nigeria advance to the final round of the qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup

⚽️ Harmony Chidi
⚽️ Aishat Animashaun

Next up: Flamingos will face either Botswana or Algeria in April

1/2 pic.twitter.com/hUHT5YmQCC

— Dr. Victor Ademola (@AdemolaVictorTv) March 15, 2025

Flamingos' next opponents, Algeria, are expected to arrive in Lagos on Wednesday evening high on confidence.

After losing the first leg of the last round 2-1 away to Botswana, the North Africans bounced back with an impressive 4-0 triumph in the return leg to reach the final round of qualifiers.

The Confederation of African Football has named Ugandan referee Shamirah Nabadda to officiate Saturday’s encounter.

She will be supported by fellow Ugandans Immaculate Ongiera and Diana Murungi, while Burundi’s Fides Bangurambona will serve as assistant referee 1.

Ghana’s Naa Odofoley Nortey will be the match commissioner, and South Africa’s Deidre Carmill Zealand takes the role of referee assessor.

Algeria’s senior women’s team lost twice to the Super Falcons in friendlies held in Nigeria last October, but the U17s are hoping to create history by qualifying for their first-ever World Cup.

Nigeria, by contrast, are seasoned campaigners, having featured in seven of the eight previous editions.

The Flamingos famously reached the semi-finals for the first time in 2022, defeating the United States on penalties after a thrilling 1-1 draw.

The second leg of this qualifier will take place on Friday, 25 April at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida, near Algiers. The aggregate winner will join host nation Morocco and three other African representatives at the tournament, which runs from 17 October to 8 November.