Nigeria Cruise 4-0 to Knockout Stage at U17 Women’s World Cup Nigeria’s U17 Women made a commanding statement, securing a 4-0 victory over Samoa in their final Group D fixture at the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. From the outset, the hosts attacked with purpose. A first-half brace from Queen Joseph put Nigeria firmly ahead, supplemented by strikes from Rasheedat Moshood and Azeezat Oduntan to seal the emphatic win. Coach Bankole Olowookere made three changes to his starting lineup after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to France in the team’s previous outing, swapping in new faces such as Yahaya Mariam, Terlumun Nguemo and Echefu Sylvia a decision that paid dividends with crisp football and renewed energy. Facing a side that had faced its own struggles, Samoa’s goalkeeper AE Grace nevertheless stood out, thwarting a hat-trick attempt by Joseph and denying Moshood from the penalty spot acts that prevented an even more lopsided scoreline. Late in the match, Memphis-born midfielder Memunat Abubakar entered the fray but unfortunately picked up an injury, forcing a substitution of Nkwocha Ngomma; a minor blip in a dominating performance. With this win, Nigeria advances to the knockout stage of the tournament as one of the best third-placed teams a recovery from earlier setbacks in the group phase that demonstrates character and resilience. Editorial In the theatre of youth international football, where frayed nerves mingle with the ambitious dreams of nations, this was a performance from the Nigeria U17 Women’s Team that signalled both intent and capability. Rarely does a group-stage finale require a bold declaration. Yet Nigeria offered one: four goals, zero concessions, and progression secured not as a fluke, but as a statement.