Nigeria’s Flamingos won their first FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup title on Saturday, defeating Japan 2-1 in the final to become the first African team to lift the trophy.
Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a long-range effort that slipped through the hands of Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.
Oluebube Umejiaku doubled the lead just two minutes into the second half, controlling a through ball from Esther Stephen before lifting the ball over the onrushing keeper in the 47th minute.
Japan pulled one back in the 80th minute through Fuki Ito, but Nigeria held firm to secure the victory.
The triumph marks a significant milestone for Nigerian and African women’s football. The Flamingos’ previous best performance at the competition was a third-place finish.
Head coach Akeem Busari’s side recovered from a group-stage defeat to Poland to win six consecutive matches and reach the final for the first time, having also become the first African team to contest the showpiece.
The Flamingos had earlier eliminated Puerto Rico, North Korea, Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil en route to the final.
Tinubu: “You have kept that promise”
President Bola Tinubu hailed the win in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. He received the news on his return from campaign engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.
“What wonderful news to return home to! Our young girls have conquered the world and given Nigerians everywhere another reason to celebrate our great country,” he said.
“I followed your journey throughout this tournament, and after your semi-final victory, you promised to bring the trophy home. Today, you have kept that promise. You believed in yourselves, fought for one another and carried our nation’s flag to the very top of the world.”
“Written your names in gold”
Tinubu said the triumph would inspire girls across the country. “Your victory is an inspiration to millions of young Nigerian girls who dream of achieving greatness. You have shown them that with hard work, opportunity and determination, they too can reach the highest levels of achievement,” he said.
“Today, Nigeria celebrates you. You have written your names in gold, and your country is immensely proud of you.”
He also praised the coaching crew, the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission, and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to grassroots sports development, particularly for girls.
First Lady: “Nigerians are world beaters”
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu described the win as a story of resilience and commitment.
“Your path to victory was not an easy one. You shrugged off your shaky start and took on the world, winning six matches in a row on your way to the golden trophy, confirming what others already know – that Nigerians are world beaters,” she said.
She added that the team had “placed the country, and indeed Africa, at the pinnacle of women football across the world.”
