Nigeria's Flamingos have made history by winning their first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title. They defeated Japan 2-1 in the final on Saturday in Rabat, Morocco.
Goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku gave Nigeria a two-goal lead before Japan made a late push. Still, the Flamingos held on to achieve this historic victory at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
This win makes Nigeria the first African country to claim the U-17 Women’s World Cup title. This victory ends a long wait for the continent and gives the Flamingos their best finish ever in this competition.
After losing their first match to Poland, the Nigerian team bounced back with impressive wins to reach the final. They did this by overcoming one of the tournament's strongest teams.
The Flamingos started the final with strong attacks, trying to unsettle a Japanese side that had conceded only two goals before this match. Nigeria made several attempts to score in the first half. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi took a shot in the 12th minute, and Umejiaku came close 12 minutes later after getting past the Japanese goalkeeper. But a heavy touch let Japan recover.
Bashiru also threatened the Japanese goal in the 26th minute. Nigeria nearly took the lead when a shot hit the crossbar in the 37th minute. Finally, the breakthrough came in the 39th minute from Bashiru.
The midfielder took a long-range shot that Japan's goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki failed to catch. The ball slipped through her hands and into the net. This was another important goal for Bashiru, who had scored twice in Nigeria's 3-1 semi-final win over Brazil.
The Flamingos took their lead into halftime and quickly extended it just two minutes into the second half. Umejiaku showed great composure to score in the 47th minute, putting Nigeria 2-0 ahead and closer to a historic title.
Japan, who were champions in 2014 and runners-up in 2010 and 2016, did not give up. The Asian team cranked up the pressure as the match approached its end and found a way back in the 80th minute. Fuki Ito scored to make it 2-1, creating a tense finish for Nigeria.
With four minutes added, the Flamingos had to defend their lead against Japan's late attempts to equalise. But the players, under Coach Busari's leadership, stood firm until the final whistle, sparking celebrations as Nigeria secured the trophy.
This victory wraps up a remarkable turnaround for the Flamingos, who started their campaign with a 2-1 loss to Poland. Coach Akeem Busari's team bounced back with wins against Puerto Rico and defending champions Korea DPR in the group stage. They then defeated Mexico in the Round of 16 and Venezuela in the quarter-finals.
Their 3-1 semi-final win over Brazil secured Nigeria’s first final appearance. Before this, the Flamingos had only finished third at the 2022 edition in India, their best performance until now.
Japan reached their fourth final, having won the tournament in 2014. They will have to wait for another chance to add to that title.
For Nigeria, the wait is finally over. The Flamingos have not just won their first world crown but also achieved a significant milestone for African women’s football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe were both present to see Coach Akeem Busari's team write a new chapter in women’s football.
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