Flamingos beat Japan to win their first U-17 women’s World Cup title in Saturday’s final.
Glamtush reports that Nigeria’s Flamingos wrote a golden chapter in African football history on Saturday, defeating Japan 2-1 in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to become the first African nation to lift the prestigious trophy.
Goals from Awawu Bashiru in the 39th minute and Oluebube Umejiaku early in the second half (47th) secured the victory at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
Japan fought back and reduced the deficit in the 80th minute through Fuki Ito, who converted a pass from Anri Ito to make it 2-1, but the Flamingos held firm to complete a remarkable tournament turnaround.
The triumph also makes Nigeria the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in both the men’s and women’s categories.
The Flamingos further became the first team in the competition’s history to lose their opening match and still go on to claim the title, having recovered from a 2-1 group-stage defeat to Poland.
The team’s response to the opening defeat was also highlighted by head coach Akeem Busari, who said psychological guidance and renewed confidence helped change the players’ attitude and approach. Captain Harmony Chidi, meanwhile, described the prospect of winning the trophy as a moment that would never be forgotten.
The triumph is another landmark for a team that had already established itself as one of Africa’s leading sides at the age-grade level. Before travelling to Morocco, the Flamingos won the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup in Côte d’Ivoire, recording five victories from five matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding just once.
