Flamingos Make History With First U-17 Women’s World Cup Triumph

Nigeria’s Flamingos have clinched their maiden FIFA Under-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, marking a historic achievement for women’s football on the continent.

Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scored the goals that secured the title for the Nigerian side, who held on despite a late Japanese fightback.

Bashiru broke the deadlock in the 39th minute after Mary Dunstan supplied the assist. Her effort slipped through the hands of Japan goalkeeper Kadowaki and found the net, giving Nigeria a 1-0 advantage at the interval.

The Flamingos extended their lead two minutes after the restart. Umejiaku collected a long pass from Esther Stephen before controlling the ball with her left foot and delicately lifting it over the advancing goalkeeper in the 47th minute.

Japan, however, refused to surrender. Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, converting a pass from Anri Ito to set up a tense closing period.

The Japanese intensified their search for an equaliser as Nigeria concentrated on protecting their lead. Kanyinsola Yusuf received a booking in the 83rd minute, while both sides continued to create opportunities.

Umejiaku and Yusuf threatened for Nigeria, while Mashiro Yamaji came close for Japan. The Flamingos also saw Umejiaku flagged offside in the 94th minute before the referee ended the contest after five minutes of added time.

The triumph completed an impressive recovery for Nigeria, who lost their opening group match 2-1 to Poland before winning their next five games to lift the trophy.

They bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico before producing a major upset against defending champions North Korea, winning 3-1. The result ended North Korea’s 18-match unbeaten run in regulation time at the tournament.

The Flamingos maintained their momentum with a 2-1 victory over Mexico in the Round of 16. Umejiaku and Dunstan scored to secure Nigeria’s passage into the quarter-finals.

Azeezat Oduntan then converted an 89th-minute penalty to give Nigeria a narrow 1-0 win over Venezuela and a place in the last four.

Their semi-final encounter against Brazil produced another commanding performance. 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 Nigeria’s 3-1 victory secured the country’s first appearance in the final.

Head coach Akeem Busari attributed the team’s turnaround after the opening defeat to psychological support and renewed confidence among the players.

He said the intervention helped change their mentality and improve their approach to subsequent matches.

Captain Harmony Chidi also expressed excitement about the possibility of lifting the trophy, describing the achievement as a moment the players would never forget.

The world title adds to the Flamingos’ growing record in age-grade women’s football. Before travelling to Morocco for the tournament, Nigeria won the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup in Côte d’Ivoire.

The team completed that campaign with five victories from five matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding only once.

Their latest achievement now places Nigeria at the summit of the global U-17 women’s competition and gives African football its first champion in the tournament’s history.