Nigeria’s Flamingos have made history by beating Japan 2-1 in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final in Morocco….reports Africa Daily News Desk
Nigeria’s Flamingos have made history by defeating Japan 2-1 in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026, becoming the first African nation to lift the title. An impressive performance from the Nigerian side, capped by Oluebube Umejiaku’s decisive second-half goal, secured a maiden championship for the country and a landmark achievement for African women’s football.
Nigeria started the final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat on Saturday with attacking intent, putting Japan under pressure from the opening minutes. Awawu Bashiru and Umejiaku both came close to scoring, with their efforts narrowly missing the target.
The Flamingos continued to threaten from set-pieces, with a delivery into the Japanese penalty area creating confusion in the defence. Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki failed to hold the ball, allowing Umejiaku to head against the crossbar.
Nigeria eventually took the lead when Bashiru sent a dropping effort towards goal. Kadowaki appeared set to collect the ball but allowed it to slip through her gloves and into the net.
The African side doubled their advantage through Umejiaku, who produced a moment of individual brilliance. Esther Stephen played a long pass forward, allowing the Nigerian attacker to race through on goal. She controlled the ball with her left foot before delicately lifting it over the advancing Kadowaki.
Japan attempted to respond immediately after falling two goals behind. Nigeria goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho failed to clear a delivery cleanly, allowing Wara Shimizu an opportunity to shoot, but her effort sailed over the crossbar.
Umejiaku continued to cause problems for the Japanese defence and nearly added another goal after racing down the channel. However, Kadowaki produced an excellent save with her foot to deny the Nigerian forward.
Japan gradually found their rhythm and increased the pressure as the match approached its closing stages. With 10 minutes remaining, substitute Anri Ito headed a corner back across goal, allowing Fuki Ito to volley the ball into the net and reduce the deficit.
The goal set up a tense finish, with Japan pushing for an equaliser. However, Nigeria held on despite the late pressure to secure a historic victory in Rabat.
The triumph marked a significant milestone for Nigerian football, with the Flamingos becoming the first team from Africa to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Speaking after the final, goalscorer Umejiaku expressed her happiness and credited the coaching staff and her teammates for helping the team overcome the challenge.
“I feel good, I feel very happy. I thank God for everything. It was very difficult for us but the instructions of the coaches made us put our heads up and just take everything as it comes. We didn’t have to push for the goals, just to keep ourselves up and we needed to encourage ourselves on the field of play,” she said.
Japan coach Sadayoshi Shirai acknowledged Nigeria’s strength while praising his players for their determination throughout the tournament.
“First of all, I have to say that Nigeria were a very strong team. We understood their strengths, but there were moments when they managed to get in behind our defence. Even so, I think our players fought incredibly hard until the very end, doing everything they could to cope with Nigeria’s speed and physical power. I also believe that if we had managed to score earlier, we might have had a better chance of winning the match. I want them [Japan’s players] to be proud of themselves. The way they fought until the very end of this World Cup will have inspired many people, and I hope they can take confidence from that,” Shirai said.
Nigeria’s victory not only delivered a maiden world title for the Flamingos but also established a new milestone for African football on the global stage.
