Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have made history by winning their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title after defeating Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final.
The victory also made Nigeria the first African country to win the competition, following an impressive performance by the team, with Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scoring the decisive goals.
Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute, capitalising on an assist from Mary Dunstan to give Nigeria the lead before the break.
The midfielder sent a dropping ball towards goal, which Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki failed to hold, allowing it to slip through her gloves and into the net.
The Flamingos doubled their advantage just two minutes into the second half when Umejiaku scored in the 47th minute following a superb pass from Esther Stephen.
Stephen delivered a long-range pass forward, which Umejiaku controlled with her left foot before calmly lifting the ball over the advancing Japanese goalkeeper.
Japan reduced the deficit in the 80th minute through Fuki Ito, who converted a pass from Anri Ito to make it 2-1 and set up a tense closing period.
The Japanese side pushed aggressively for an equaliser, while Nigeria worked hard to protect their advantage.
Kanyinsola Yusuf received a yellow card in the 83rd minute as both teams continued to create opportunities. Umejiaku and Yusuf threatened for Nigeria, while Japan’s Mashiro Yamaji also came close late in the encounter.
Despite the mounting pressure, the Flamingos remained resolute and saw out the contest, with the referee bringing the match to an end after five minutes of added time.
The historic triumph capped a remarkable campaign for the Nigerian side, who bounced back from a 2-1 opening defeat to Poland to record five consecutive victories on their way to lifting the trophy.
They regained their confidence with a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico before producing one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by defeating defending champions North Korea 3-1.
The victory ended North Korea’s 18-match unbeaten run in regulation time at the competition.
Nigeria continued their impressive run with a 2-1 victory over Mexico in the Round of 16, as Umejiaku and Dunstan scored to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
A late 89th-minute penalty converted by Azeezat Oduntan earned the Flamingos a 1-0 victory over Venezuela in the quarter-finals and a place in the last four.
They subsequently secured their first-ever appearance in the final with a convincing 3-1 victory over Brazil.
Queen Joseph opened the scoring in the 56th minute before Bashiru struck twice in the 71st and 80th minutes to put Nigeria firmly in control. Brazil scored a late consolation, but the Flamingos held on to book their place in the final.
Head coach Akeem Busari had earlier attributed the team’s remarkable turnaround after the opening defeat to psychological guidance and renewed confidence, which helped improve the players’ mentality and approach to subsequent matches.
Captain Harmony Chidi had also described the opportunity to win the trophy as a historic moment that would remain unforgettable.
The World Cup triumph further reinforces the Flamingos’ growing reputation as one of Africa’s leading teams at the age-grade level.
Before travelling to Morocco for the tournament, Nigeria had won the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup in Côte d’Ivoire, recording five victories in five matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding just once.
The latest achievement marks a historic milestone for Nigerian women’s football and establishes the Flamingos as the first African champions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
