Nigeria’s Flamingos beat Japan 2-1 in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Saturday, November 7, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat. Awawu Bashiru put Nigeria ahead in the 39th minute from a delivery by Mary Dunstan, and Oluebube Umejiaku doubled the lead two minutes into the second half. Japan pulled one back through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute and pushed for an equaliser, with Mashiro Yamaji going close late on, but Nigeria held on.
The result carries several firsts. Nigeria is the first African nation to win the U-17 Women’s World Cup, and the Flamingos are the first African women’s team to win a FIFA World Cup title. Nigeria is also the first country to have won the U-17 World Cup in both the men’s tournament (through the Golden Eaglets) and the women’s. Umejiaku was named player of the tournament and received the Golden Ball.
The title came after a rocky start. As we reported at the time, Nigeria lost their opening game 2-1 to Poland, then won six matches in a row, including victories over defending champions Korea DPR, Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil. Japan, the 2014 champions, reached the final by beating Korea DPR on penalties. President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady congratulated the team, and Nigeria Football Federation official Emmanuel Ikpeme called them “fabulous Flamingos.”
The opening loss to Poland now reads as a footnote. Umejiaku is a good example: she scored Nigeria’s only goal in that defeat and scored again in the final. The larger question is what happens next. Nigeria’s senior women’s team missed the 2027 Women’s World Cup, so the test for the federation is turning this group into a senior pipeline rather than a one-tournament celebration.
Quick facts:
- Nigeria 2-1 Japan on November 7, 2026, in Rabat; goals by Awawu Bashiru (39′) and Oluebube Umejiaku (47′)
- First African team to win the U-17 Women’s World Cup
- Six straight wins after the opening loss to Poland
- Umejiaku won the Golden Ball
Can this team become the future of Nigeria’s Super Falcons? Share your thoughts.
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