Flamingos Make History as Nigeria Beats Japan to Win U-17 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria’s Flamingos held off a late Japanese fightback to win 2–1 in Morocco on Saturday, November 7, becoming the first African team to lift the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Awawu Bashiru put Nigeria ahead in the 39th minute when her looping effort slipped through the gloves of Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki. Two minutes after halftime, Oluebube Umejiaku raced onto Esther Stephen’s long pass and chipped the ball over Kadowaki to make it 2–0.

Fuki Ito volleyed home in the 80th minute to give Japan hope, but the Flamingos held firm through a tense finish. Umejiaku, whose goal proved decisive, was named Player of the Match.

The triumph capped a memorable run for Nigeria, who beat Brazil in the semifinals to reach their first final in the competition and turned that debut into a historic title for Africa.