Nigeria’s Flamingos have made history after defeating Japan 2-1 to win the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, becoming the first African nation to lift the trophy.
Goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku secured the victory for Nigeria in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.
Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s advantage shortly after the restart.
Japan reduced the deficit through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, but the Flamingos held on to secure their first world title.
Bashiru puts Nigeria ahead
The encounter began with both teams seeking to make history, as Nigeria targeted its maiden title while Japan hoped to win the competition for the second time.
The Flamingos started brightly, creating goalscoring opportunities and putting pressure on the Japanese defence.
Nigeria’s breakthrough eventually came in the 39th minute when Bashiru unleashed a long-range effort from outside the penalty area.
Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki failed to hold the shot, allowing the ball to slip into the net.
The goal handed Nigeria a 1-0 advantage heading into half-time.
Umejiaku doubles Flamingos’ lead
Nigeria maintained its attacking momentum after the restart and needed just two minutes to extend its advantage.
Umejiaku found the net in the 47th minute, producing a composed finish to give the Flamingos a commanding 2-0 lead.
The goal strengthened Nigeria’s grip on the encounter and left Japan facing a difficult task.
However, the Asian side refused to surrender and continued pushing forward in search of a comeback.
Their efforts paid off in the 80th minute when Ito scored to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The late goal increased the pressure on Nigeria, but the Flamingos defended their lead during the closing stages to secure the historic victory.
Nigeria become first African champions
The victory represents a major milestone for Nigerian and African women’s football.
Before Saturday’s triumph, no African country had won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 2008.
Nigeria’s previous best performance was a third-place finish at the 2022 tournament in India.
The Flamingos have now surpassed that achievement by becoming world champions.
The triumph also makes Nigeria the first African country to win FIFA U-17 World Cup titles in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Flamingos overcome difficult start to win trophy
Nigeria’s success is particularly remarkable considering the team’s difficult start to the tournament.
Akeem Busari’s side opened its campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Poland before recovering to defeat Puerto Rico and defending champions North Korea in the group stage.
The Flamingos subsequently eliminated Mexico in the round of 16 and Venezuela in the quarter-finals.
They produced another impressive performance in the semi-finals, defeating Brazil 3-1 to reach the final for the first time.
Saturday’s victory over Japan completed a remarkable turnaround and made Nigeria the first team to win the competition after losing its opening match.
NSC celebrates historic victory
Reacting to the achievement, the National Sports Commission congratulated the Flamingos for making history.
In a statement reported by The PUNCH, the commission described the triumph as a defining moment for Nigerian and African women’s football.
“Congratulations, Flamingos. Nigeria celebrates you. Africa celebrates you,” the commission stated.
The victory also fulfilled the ambition expressed by head coach Busari ahead of the final.
Speaking before Saturday’s encounter, Busari had urged his players to remain focused and complete the task of winning the trophy.
The Flamingos have now delivered Nigeria’s first FIFA women’s world title, securing a place in the country’s football history.
