Nigeria’s Flamingos have won their first-ever FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup title after defeating Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final.
The victory also makes Nigeria the first African country to win the tournament, with Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scoring the goals that secured the historic triumph.
Bashiru, Umejiaku Score for Nigeria
Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute after receiving an assist from Mary Dunstan to give Nigeria the lead before half-time.
Her effort, a dropping ball directed towards goal, slipped through the gloves of Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki and into the net.
The Flamingos doubled their advantage two minutes after the restart when Umejiaku scored in the 47th minute.
The forward controlled a long pass from Esther Stephen with her left foot before lifting the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.
Japan reduced the deficit in the 80th minute through Fuki Ito, who converted a pass from Anri Ito to make it 2-1.
The goal set up a tense closing period as Japan pushed for an equaliser, but Nigeria held on despite late pressure.
Five Consecutive Wins After Opening Defeat
The triumph capped a remarkable campaign for the Nigerian side, who recovered from a 2-1 opening defeat to Poland to win their next five matches.
They responded with a 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico before defeating defending champions North Korea 3-1, ending the Asian side’s 18-match unbeaten run in regulation time at the competition.
The Flamingos then beat Mexico 2-1 in the Round of 16, with Umejiaku and Dunstan finding the net.
Azeezat Oduntan scored a late penalty in the 89th minute to secure a 1-0 quarter-final victory over Venezuela.
Nigeria booked their first-ever place in the final with a 3-1 win over Brazil. Queen Joseph opened the scoring in the 56th minute before Bashiru scored twice in the 71st and 80th minutes.
Historic Achievement for African Football
The victory over Japan marks Nigeria’s first title at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the first time an African team has won the competition.
Before travelling to Morocco for the tournament, the Flamingos had also won the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup in Côte d’Ivoire.
They finished that competition with five wins from five matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding just once.
