Flamingos defeated highly-rated Brazil 3-1 in the semi-finals to book their place in the final of the tournament.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigeria’s Flamingos have made history by beating Japan 2-1 in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which was played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex (Pitch 4) in Rabat, Morocco on Saturday night.
Akeem Busari’s side were aiming to win the title for the first time, while their Japanese counterparts were targeting their second crown.
Flamingos reached the final after defeating highly-rated Brazil 3-1 in the semi-finals; Japan, for their part, beat neighbouring North Korea 4-1 on penalties to book their place.
Awawu Bashiru found the net in the 39th minute of the first half against the Asian side to give Nigeria the lead.
Oluebube Umejiaku then doubled Nigeria’s advantage in the 47th minute to give the Flamingos a two-goal cushion.
However, the Japanese pulled one back through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, but the West Africans held on in the second half to secure their historic victory.
Prior to the game, Flamingos captain Harmony Chidi told Nigerian fans that she and her teammates wanted to make the country proud by winning the trophy, adding that lifting it would “never be forgotten”.
Speaking to FIFA.com, she said: “Reaching the final is a very big thing; it’s a great thing, and it’s something that we have dreamed of. [Winning] would be something myself, my country, my teammates, our coaches, and everybody would be proud of.”
