The Flamingos U-17 Women’s World Cup dream is complete. Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team beat Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat to become the first African nation to lift the trophy — and the first team in the competition’s history to win it after losing their opening match.
Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scored the goals that delivered the title for head coach Akeem Busari’s side, who held their nerve through a tense finish after Japan pulled one back late. It is Nigeria’s first title in the women’s U-17 competition since it began in 2008, and it makes the country the first African nation to win the U-17 World Cup in both the men’s and women’s categories.
The victory caps a remarkable turnaround. The Flamingos opened their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Poland, then won six matches in a row to claim the crown — a run that ended with the biggest win in the team’s history.
Flamingos U-17 Women’s World Cup: Bashiru and Umejiaku fire Nigeria ahead
Japan made the brighter start in Rabat and threatened the Nigerian defence early, but the Flamingos grew into the game and began to create chances of their own. Umejiaku had a clear opportunity to put Nigeria ahead but could not find the finish.
The breakthrough arrived in the 39th minute. Bashiru, who kept her place after starting the semi-final win over Brazil, unleashed an effort from distance that proved too hot for Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki to handle, the ball slipping through her hands and into the net. Mary Dunstan supplied the assist for the opener, and Nigeria went into the break 1-0 up.
The lead was doubled just two minutes into the second half. Esther Stephen produced an exquisite pass over the Japanese defence, allowing Umejiaku to race through and brilliantly lift the ball over Kadowaki in the 47th minute. At 2-0, the Flamingos were in control of the final.
Japan hit back but the Flamingos hold firm
Japan, the 2014 champions, refused to fold. Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, converting a pass from Anri Ito to make it 2-1, and the closing stages turned tense as the former champions pushed for an equaliser.
Nigeria stayed resolute. Umejiaku was flagged offside in the 94th minute as the clock ticked into five minutes of added time, but the Flamingos protected their lead to the final whistle and the celebrations could begin.
Six straight wins after the Poland shock
The final was the sixth consecutive win of a campaign that started in the worst possible way. After the 2-1 opening defeat to Poland, Nigeria beat Puerto Rico and defending champions Korea DPR in the group stage, then saw off Mexico 2-1 in the round of 16, Venezuela 1-0 in the quarter-final — captain Azeezat Oduntan scoring the decisive penalty in the 88th minute — and Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final.
Busari kept faith with the same starting XI that beat Brazil, and his players repaid him with the title. The triumph is a significant improvement on Nigeria’s previous best finish in the competition, third place at the 2022 edition in India.
Umejiaku’s tournament was remarkable in its own right. ACLSports reports that she contributed to a goal in all seven of Nigeria’s matches, scoring four goals and providing two assists, while also winning the penalty that secured the quarter-final victory over Venezuela.
What the Flamingos’ triumph means for Nigerian football
The National Sports Commission congratulated the team on Saturday, describing the victory as a remarkable achievement, while First Lady Oluremi Tinubu cheered the Flamingos on during the final. The win gives Nigerian football a golden moment to savour — and it arrives in the same week the Super Eagles are in camp for their Tanzania double-header. You can read the full 24-man squad here.
Before the final, few would have backed a team that lost its opening game to go all the way. The Flamingos did it the hard way, and they did it as champions. For more on the week ahead in Nigerian football, check today’s predictions.
Our preview of the final is here.
Graphic: SportsBuddy design — no licensed photograph of the Flamingos from the 2026 final was available at publication.
