Flamingos Outclass Algeria in World Cup Qualifier Opener
If you tuned in late, you probably missed half the action. Within just 60 seconds of kickoff at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Nigeria’s Flamingos showed they weren’t there to play around. Queen Joseph got on the end of a slick, low cross from Philomena Isaiah and sent the home crowd roaring. That early goal set the tone for a game loaded with energy, precision, and a bit of swagger.
Algeria had barely settled and were already scrambling. Only 12 minutes later, striker Zainab Raji pounced on a loose ball, smashing it into the net with the kind of confidence you want in a forward. At that point, you could sense the visitors wilting; the pace and physicality were just too much.
Less than five minutes after that, Joseph was back at it. She was perfectly placed inside the box to hammer in her second, giving Nigeria a comfortable 3-0 lead before the match even reached the 20-minute mark. The Flamingos pressed high, kept the ball moving, and made sure every Algerian touch was contested—it was a display of true tactical efficiency.
Algeria’s defense, already on the ropes, tried to stem the tide and reorganize. But every time they looked up, there was another wave of green shirts coming at them. The Nigerian midfield, led by dependable figures like Shakirat Moshood and the ever-present Muinat Rotimi, kept things tight and tidy, recycling possession and making sure Algeria barely got a sniff of the Flamingos’ goal.
Late in the game, substitute Aishat Animashaun put a gloss on the scoreline. She finished off a clinical move in the closing stages, firing home to make it four. That pretty much summed up the evening—Nigeria sharper, quicker, and more eager everywhere on the pitch.
Nigeria on Course for Eighth World Cup Appearance
With this 4-0 thumping, Nigeria now sits comfortably ahead on aggregate with one foot practically in the next round of qualifiers. If they keep up this form in the return leg, their ticket to the 2025 World Cup in Morocco is all but stamped. That would mean the Flamingos will grace the world stage for the eighth time, a serious statement of their consistency and quality at this level.
The depth in this squad is eye-catching. Being able to bring on players like Animashaun, who can have an immediate impact, shows that Nigeria isn’t just relying on a starting eleven but has talent waiting in the wings. The tactical setup from the coaching staff has woven together speed, aggression, and control—a combination Algeria simply couldn’t match.
This first-leg result puts pressure squarely on Algeria for the second meeting, but with the cushion they’ve earned, the Flamingos look set to keep flying high until Morocco 2025 comes calling.