Nigeria made history after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final of the 2026 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup on Saturday evening.
Goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku powered the Flamingos to victory in the encounter played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.
Akeem Busari's side began the encounter brightly, with Bashiru and Umejiaku both coming close to breaking the deadlock in the opening exchanges.
They continued to threaten with Umejiaku’s header ricocheting off the crossbar after goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki failed to deal with a dangerous free-kick into the penalty area.
Nigeria’s persistence eventually paid off in the 39th minute when Bashiru's looping effort slipped through Kadowaki's gloves and into the net to hand the Africans a deserved lead.
Two minutes after the restart, they doubled their advantage through Umejiaku, who latched onto Esther Stephen's long pass before producing a beautiful lob over the advancing Japanese goalkeeper.
The Asians responded by pushing forward in search of a way back into the contest, with Wara Shimizu firing over the crossbar after goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho failed to clear a dangerous ball.
Umejiaku had an opportunity to extend her team’s advantage, but Kadowaki produced an impressive save with her foot to deny the forward.
Japan reduced the deficit with ten minutes left on the clock when substitute Anri Ito headed a corner back into the danger area for Fuki Ito to volley home.
Notwithstanding the mounting pressure in the closing stages, Busari’s girls held firm to secure a historic victory and spark jubilant celebrations.
With this, Nigeria became the first African country to reach the final and lift the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup trophy, as well as the first nation to win the competition after losing their opening match.
Prior to this tournament, the Flamingos' best finish was a third place achieved in 2022 when they defeated Germany on penalties at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
At the awards ceremony, Nigeria’s Umejiaku claimed the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, ahead of DPR Korea’s Yu Jong-hyang and Japan’s Fuki Ito, who received the Silver and Bronze Balls, respectively.
USA’s Maddie DiMaria secured the Golden Boot with a tournament-record 12 goals, while DPR Korea duo Yu Jong-hyang and Ri Ui-gyong picked up the Silver and Bronze Boots.
DPR Korea goalkeeper Kim Son-gyong was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper, winning the Golden Glove, while Japan received the FIFA Fair Play Trophy.
