Flamingos one match from history as Nigeria face Japan in the U-17 Women's World Cup final
A win in Morocco on Saturday would make Nigeria the first African country to lift the trophy.
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Lagos — Nigeria's Flamingos play Japan in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco on Saturday, one win away from becoming the first African nation to lift the trophy.
They are already the first African team to reach the final of the competition.
From a defeat to five straight wins
Coach Akeem Busari's side lost their opening Group B match 2-1 to Poland. Since then they have won five in a row: against Puerto Rico, defending champions DPR Korea, Mexico, Venezuela and, in the semi-final, Brazil, whom they beat 3-1.
Nigeria have had 113 attempts on goal, second only to DPR Korea's 186, and 35 of them came against Brazil. Eight different players have scored. Awawu Bashiru, who had played only 73 minutes off the bench before the semi-final, scored twice against Brazil and was named Player of the Match.
"Something we have dreamed of"
Captain Harmony Chidi told FIFA that winning would never be forgotten. "Reaching the final is a very big thing, it's a great thing, and it's something that we have dreamed of," she said. "[Winning] would be something myself, my country, my teammates, our coaches, and everybody would be proud of."
Japan, who have conceded only twice in the tournament, are playing in their fourth final.
Sources: Premium Times, Premium Times, November 2026.
