Nigeria’s Flamingos have conquered the world after edging Japan 2-1 in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, bringing home a historic trophy for the country.
The Nigerian youngsters held their nerve in a fiercely contested encounter at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat on Saturday to secure their maiden championship title.
Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the breakthrough towards the end of the first half, punishing a mistake by Japanese goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki, who failed to hold her long-range effort.
The goal gave the Flamingos a deserved advantage heading into the break after both sides had struggled to convert their earlier opportunities.
Nigeria wasted little time extending their lead after the restart. Oluebube Umejiaku produced a delicate finish in the 47th minute, lifting the ball over the advancing Japanese goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
With two goals separating both teams, Japan increased the pressure in search of a response. Their persistence eventually paid off in the 80th minute when Fuki Ito found the net to revive hopes of a comeback.
However, the Flamingos refused to surrender their advantage despite Japan’s late attacking pressure. Nigeria’s defence remained resolute in the closing stages, ensuring the Asian side could not find an equaliser.
The final whistle triggered celebrations among the Nigerian players as they secured a landmark victory in their first appearance in the tournament’s final.
Beyond winning their first U-17 women’s global crown, Nigeria also became the first African nation to lift the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.
The achievement marks a significant improvement on the Flamingos’ previous best performance, a third-place finish at the 2022 edition of the tournament.
Saturday’s triumph also capped an impressive knockout campaign for the Nigerian side, who defeated Mexico 2-1 in the Round of 16, overcame Venezuela in the quarter-finals and dispatched Brazil 3-1 in the semi-finals.
Their victory over Japan has now placed the Flamingos among the winners of FIFA’s global youth competitions and delivered a major milestone for Nigerian women’s football.
Credit: naijametro.com.ng
