Flamingos Make History as First African Team to Win FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, created history on Saturday by defeating Japan 2-1 in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, becoming the first African nation to win the tournament.
Goals from Awawu Bashiru in the 39th minute and Oluebube Umejiaku in the 47th minute secured the victory at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.
Japan pulled one back through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, but the Flamingos held firm to claim the title.
The triumph marks a landmark achievement for Nigerian and African women’s football. Since the competition’s inception in 2008, no African team had previously lifted the trophy.
Nigeria also becomes the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in both the men’s and women’s categories.
The Golden Eaglets have won the men’s edition five times (1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015).
The Flamingos further made history as the first team in the women’s competition to lose their opening match and still go on to win the title.
They recovered from a 2-1 group-stage defeat to Poland with a series of strong performances, including victories over Puerto Rico, defending champions North Korea, Mexico, Venezuela and a 3-1 semi-final win over Brazil.
The National Sports Commission congratulated the team in a statement, describing the achievement as “a remarkable achievement, which marks a defining moment for Nigerian and African women’s football.”
The commission added: “Congratulations, Flamingos. Nigeria celebrates you. Africa celebrates you.”
The victory completes a remarkable tournament for the side coached by Akeem Busari and delivers Nigeria’s first title in the women’s U-17 competition.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
