Nigeria’s Flamingos will aim to make history when they face Japan in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday.
Victory would make Nigeria the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup titles in both the men’s and women’s categories.
The final will take place at Pitch 3 of the Complexe Mohammed VI, where the Nigerian team have promised to give their best and lift the trophy.
The Flamingos began their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Poland and struggled to convince in their victory over Puerto Rico.
However, they recovered with an impressive 3-1 win over two-time champions and defending titleholders Korea DPR to qualify for the knockout stage as group runners-up.
Nigeria subsequently defeated Mexico 2-1 in the Round of 16 before overcoming Venezuela in the quarter-finals.
Their most impressive performance came in the semi-finals, where they defeated Brazil 3-1 after registering 30 shots on goal. Brazil managed a consolation goal with one minute remaining in regulation time.
The Flamingos have scored 12 goals in the tournament, with eight players contributing to their tally.
Oluebube Umejiaku leads the scoring chart with three goals, while Awawu Bashiru and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi have scored twice each.
Kanyinsola Yusuf, Queen Joseph, Mary Dunstan, Precious Oscar and Azeezat Oduntan have contributed one goal apiece.
Oduntan was named captain after forward Harmony Chidi was dropped to the bench. She scored a crucial penalty with one minute remaining in Nigeria’s quarter-final victory over Venezuela.
Bashiru, who had previously featured for only 73 minutes as a substitute, was handed a starting role ahead of playmaker Tosin Rafiu against Brazil and responded with two goals.
Japan secured their place in the final through a penalty shoot-out after playing a 1-1 draw with Korea DPR. An own goal by defender Won Sol-gyong had contributed to the result before Japan won the shoot-out 4-1.
Busari, Shirai Confident Ahead of Final
Flamingos head coach Akeem Busari said his players would need to reproduce the character and approach they displayed against Korea DPR to overcome Japan.
“It’s just about showing the same character and playing the same way we played with North Korea, because they play with the same philosophy,” he said.
He added: “I’m excited, and I’m happy, but we just really want to pick up the trophy.”
Japan coach Sadayoshi Shirai also expressed his team’s determination to win the competition, saying they were prepared to give everything in the final.
“We don’t want to stop here. We will continue moving forward, prepare as well as we can for the final, and give everything we have to become world champions,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has backed the Flamingos to defeat Japan and claim the title.
“If Brazil could not stop them, I don’t see Japan doing so. This is surely the year of the Flamingos, and the year Nigeria will again celebrate a global title,” he said.
Ikpeme is expected to attend the final alongside a Federal Government delegation led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe are also expected to be present for the decisive encounter.
