Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, secured a vital 3-1 victory over South Africa’s Bantwana on Saturday, putting them in a strong position to reach the final round of qualification for this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Shakirat Moshood, who scored four goals at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic last year, gave Nigeria the lead in the 20th minute with a clinical finish.
Harmony Chidi, a standout scorer with 13 goals in the qualifiers for last year’s World Cup, doubled Nigeria’s advantage, confidently converting a penalty awarded in their favor.
South Africa’s Bantwana fought back after the break, reducing the deficit to 2-1 with a penalty conversion by Malebana in the 47th minute.
However, Chidi’s second goal in the 68th minute effectively sealed the victory, taking Nigeria further out of reach.
The two teams will meet again in the return leg next Saturday at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, with the winner progressing to the final qualification round.
