Nigeria’s Flamingos captain Harmony Chidi has declared that the team is determined to make Nigeria proud by defeating Japan and clinching the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title.
Chidi said winning the trophy would make the players, coaches, and country proud, as Nigeria aims to be the first African nation to do so.
Akeem Busari’s side will face Japan in the final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, Pitch 3, in Rabat on Saturday (today).
The encounter will mark the first-ever meeting between Nigeria and Japan at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup level.
The Flamingos are chasing their maiden title in the competition, while Japan will be aiming to secure their second championship.
Chidi described reaching the final as a dream come true, insisting that the team is eager to complete their impressive campaign by returning home with the trophy.
“I think it would be a great thing, a joy, and would never be forgotten in life,” Chidi told FIFA.
“Reaching the final is a massive thing; it’s a great thing, and it’s something that we have dreamed of. [Winning] would be something I, my country, my teammates, our coaches, and everybody would be proud of.”
The eagerly anticipated final is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Nigerian time, with the Flamingos hoping to make history by lifting the trophy for the first time.
The Flamingos’ journey to the final has been marked by a remarkable recovery after they lost 2-1 to Poland in their opening Group B match.
Under coach Akeem Busari, Nigeria responded with five consecutive victories over Puerto Rico, defending champions DPR Korea, Mexico, Venezuela, and Brazil to reach the final.
Their 3-1 victory over DPR Korea was one of the campaign’s defining moments, while the semi-final win over Brazil secured their place in the title match.
Busari had declared before the tournament that Nigeria wanted to become champions, and his team now has an opportunity to fulfill that ambition against Japan.
For Chidi, however, reaching the final is only part of the dream. The captain is hoping to lead her teammates to a victory that would give Nigeria and the players a lasting place in the competition’s history.
The final gives the Flamingos a chance to turn their historic campaign into an unprecedented triumph for African women’s football.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
