Nigeria’s U-17 female team, the Flamingos, have made history by becoming the first African nation to win the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Japan in Saturday’s final in Morocco.
The success marks Nigeria’s maiden title in the competition and makes the Flamingos the first African team to lift the trophy since the tournament’s inception.
Goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku secured the historic victory, as Nigeria survived a late Japanese fightback to crown an impressive campaign with a world title.
The Flamingos took the lead in the 39th minute when Bashiru capitalised on a goalkeeping error by Japan’s Kou Kadowaki. The forward sent a dropping ball towards goal, but Kadowaki failed to hold it, allowing the ball to slip through her gloves and into the net.
Read Also: Tinubu charges Flamingos to win first U-17 Women’s World Cup title
Nigeria had threatened earlier, with efforts from Bashiru and Umejiaku narrowly missing the target. Umejiaku also came close when her header from a dangerous set-piece struck the crossbar after Kadowaki failed to gather the delivery cleanly.
The Flamingos doubled their advantage just two minutes into the second half through Umejiaku, who finished off a superb attacking move in the 47th minute.
Esther Stephen provided the assist with an incisive pass upfield, allowing Umejiaku to race through, control the ball with her left foot and delicately lob it over the advancing Kadowaki.
Japan fought back in the closing stages, putting Nigeria under pressure as the Flamingos battled to protect their advantage. However, the Nigerian youngsters held on to secure a landmark victory and write a new chapter in African women’s football.
The triumph capped a remarkable campaign for the Flamingos, who recovered from a 2-1 opening defeat to Poland to win five consecutive matches and emerge champions.
Their victory also establishes Nigeria as the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, adding another milestone to the country’s rich history in youth football.