Nigeria’s Flamingos have etched their names in history by winning the country’s first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title after defeating Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Rabat, Morocco. Goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku handed Nigeria a two-goal lead before Japan staged a late fightback, but the Flamingos held firm to secure the landmark victory at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
The triumph makes Nigeria the first African nation to lift the U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy, ending the continent’s long wait for the title and delivering the Flamingos’ best-ever finish in the competition. Having lost their opening match to Poland, the Nigerian youngsters produced a remarkable turnaround with a string of victories to reach the final, completing their recovery by overcoming one of the tournament’s most successful sides.
The Flamingos started the final with attacking intent, determined to unsettle a Japanese team that had conceded only twice en route to the championship match. Nigeria created several chances in the first half, with Oluwakemi Adegbuyi testing the goalkeeper in the 12th minute, while Umejiaku came close 12 minutes later after beating the Japanese goalkeeper, only for a heavy touch to allow Japan to recover.
