Samoa exited the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025™ at the group stage, following a 4-0 defeat to Nigeria in Rabat on Sunday.

Just as in their previous defeats to France and Canada, Samoa fought bravely but struggled to match it with the African representatives.

Three of the four goals came in the first 34 minutes of the contest, as Nigeria progressed through to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams.

Queen Joseph opened the scoring in the 13th minute, darting onto a pass in-behind the Samoan defence and picking out the bottom-right corner of the net.

It was then two in the 28th minute, Nigeria winning a penalty, and captain Shakirat Moshood stepping up to roll the ball past goalkeeper Grace Ae.

The third goal came just six minutes later, sealing Samoa’s fate. Nguemo Terlumun capitalised on a mistake in the penalty area to set up Joseph for her second.

The second half was much better for Samoa, and perhaps their best half of football at the tournament, despite not scoring.

Grace Ae made many top stops in goal, and Macey Tuiolosega forced Sylvia Echefu to palm a long-range shot onto the crossbar.

The only goal of the half, and Nigeria’s final mark on the scoreboard, came in the 67th minute. Azeezat Oduntan cut off the left flank and curled a magnificent shot past Ae into the top-right corner of the net on her right foot.

Whilst a third consecutive defeat marks the end of Samoa’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ campaign, they leave with their heads held high.

Their runners-up finish at the 2025 OFC U-16 Women’s Championship means they’ll be back at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup next year in 2026.

Source: OFC