Morocco 2025: Flamingos defeat South Africa 3-1 in Pretoria

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, secured a crucial 3-1 victory over South Africa in Pretoria as they continue their qualification campaign for the 2025 U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. The win puts the young Nigerian side in a strong position ahead of the return leg, reinforcing their dominance in the qualifiers.

Flamingos’ Commanding Performance

The match, played at the Tuks Stadium in Pretoria, saw the Flamingos assert their authority early on, dictating the tempo with crisp passing and relentless attacking play. Nigeria’s opening goal came in the first half after sustained pressure on the South African defense. The Flamingos’ attackers capitalized on a defensive lapse, with their striker finishing clinically to put Nigeria in front.

South Africa, however, responded with a moment of brilliance, equalizing before halftime to keep the contest competitive. The hosts took advantage of a defensive mix-up in the Flamingos’ backline, slotting home to make it 1-1.

Second-Half Dominance

After the break, the Flamingos reasserted their superiority, increasing their attacking intensity. Their persistence paid off when they regained the lead through a well-worked team move that split the South African defense, resulting in a composed finish. Nigeria’s third goal came in the closing stages of the match, effectively sealing the victory and silencing the home crowd.

The win underscores Nigeria’s status as one of the dominant forces in African women’s football, particularly at the youth level. The Flamingos, known for their disciplined structure and attacking flair, showcased both qualities throughout the encounter, demonstrating why they remain one of the favorites to qualify for the Morocco 2025 tournament.

What’s Next?

With the 3-1 victory in Pretoria, the Flamingos now shift their focus to the second leg, which will be played in Nigeria. Holding a two-goal advantage, the team will aim to finish the job at home and secure their place in the next phase of the qualifiers.

The coaching staff is expected to make necessary adjustments ahead of the return leg, ensuring that the team remains sharp and avoids complacency. South Africa, despite the loss, showed resilience, and Nigeria will need to remain focused to prevent any surprises.

The Flamingos’ victory serves as a boost for Nigeria’s youth football development, reaffirming the country’s ability to produce top-tier talent capable of excelling on the international stage.