Nigeria’s Flamingos become Africa’s first FIFA U-17 champions
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, have made history after defeating Japan 2–1 to win the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, securing the country’s first-ever title in the competition and becoming the first African nation to lift the trophy.
The historic victory came on Saturday, November 7, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, where the Nigerian side overcame a determined Japanese team to claim the championship after an impressive match.
Nigeria took the lead in the 39th minute through Awawu Bashiru, whose shot from distance slipped through the hands of Japanese goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki and found the back of the net.
The Flamingos strengthened their advantage shortly into the second half when Oluebube Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 47th minute. The forward took control on a long pass from Esther Stephen, before lifting it over the advancing Japanese goalkeeper.
Japan responded with increased pressure as the match approached its final minutes, eventually reducing the gap through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute. However, Nigeria maintained its defense to withstand Japan’s late attempts at an equaliser and secure the 2–1 victory.
The made Nigeria the first country on the continent to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 2008. It also makes Nigeria the first African country to have won both the men’s and women’s editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The country’s boys’ U-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, previously won the men’s competition five times, in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
The Flamingos’ journey to the championship was not without setbacks. Nigeria began its campaign with a 2–1 defeat to Poland in the group stage but recovered to win its subsequent six matches.
Their impressive run included a 3–1 victory over Brazil in the semi-final, which secured Nigeria’s first-ever appearance in the final of the competition and surpassed its previous best performance of third place at the 2022 edition in India.
Umejiaku was named Player of the Match in the final following her decisive contribution to Nigeria’s victory, capping an outstanding tournament for the young forward.
The achievement also attracted congratulations from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who described the victory as a landmark moment for Nigeria and African women’s football.
In a statement issued on November 8, the President praised the players for their courage, discipline and determination, noting that their achievement would inspire millions of young Nigerian girls aspiring to succeed in sports.
He also commended the coaching crew, the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission for their contributions to the team’s success.
Written by Abeeb Lekan Sodiq for TheAfricanDream®
