Chidi hits brace as Nigeria beat South Africa in U17 women’s World Cup qualifiers

Harmony Chidi scored once in each half to lead the Flamingos, Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, to a 3-1 win over South Africa in their second round first leg tie of the Women’s World Cup qualifiers at the Lucas Moripe stadium in South Africa on Saturday.

Shakirat Moshood was also on the scoresheet for the Flamingos, with Katlego Malebane netting the Batwana’s consolation goal.

Moshood opened the scoring in the 20th minute to silence the hosts, before Chidi doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 40th minute to hand the Flamingos a 2-0 lead at the break.

Another penalty, this time to the hosts, resulted in the next goal scored by Malebane, the team’s captain who dispatched the spot-kick to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Chidi, however, restored Nigeria’s two-goal advantage with another strike on 68 minutes. Both sides could not add further goals as the game ended 3-1 in favour of Nigeria.

The Flamingos will defend their two-goal advantage in the second leg of the U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier series next weekend. The winner advances to the third and final round of the series.

Now an annual tournament, the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is set to be held in Africa for the first time, with Morocco hosting the world from October 17 to November 8.