Nigeria Wins Historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Champions
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Nigeria has won the U-17 women’s national football tournament, with the Flamingos delivering the victory. The team arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday morning to a warm reception after securing a landmark victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The young side landed in the early hours following their 2-1 triumph over Japan in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat. Goals from Awawu Bashiru in the 39th minute and Oluebube Umejiaku in the 47th minute sealed Nigeria’s first-ever title in the competition. Japan pulled one back through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, but the Flamingos held firm to claim the trophy.
Officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), members of the National Sports Commission, journalists, and supporters greeted the victorious squad upon arrival. The players, many still in their travel attire, were welcomed as national heroes after delivering Africa’s first success in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The achievement carries multiple layers of historic significance. Nigeria became the first African nation to win the tournament since its inception in 2008 and the first African women’s national team at any age level to claim a FIFA World Cup title. The country also became the first to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in both the men’s (five titles for the Golden Eaglets) and women’s categories.
The Flamingos’ path to the title was marked by resilience. They began the tournament with a 2-1 group-stage defeat to Poland before recovering to win their remaining six matches. Victories included wins over Puerto Rico, defending champions North Korea, Mexico, Venezuela, and a commanding 3-1 semi-final victory over Brazil. Prior to the World Cup, the team had dominated the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup in Côte d’Ivoire, winning all five matches while scoring 17 goals and conceding just one.
President Bola Tinubu congratulated the team in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. “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,” Tinubu said. He praised the players for showing “courage, discipline, determination and the Nigerian spirit of never giving up,” singled out goalscorers Bashiru and Umejiaku, and thanked the coaching staff, NFF, and National Sports Commission. The President also expressed hope that the victory would inspire millions of young Nigerian girls.
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu also hailed the champions. In a congratulatory message, she highlighted their resilience after a difficult start to the tournament. “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 stated.
“I am particularly proud of this inspiring feat which has now placed the country, and indeed Africa, at the pinnacle of women’s football across the world,” the First Lady added. She was also seen celebrating excitedly in a viral video while watching the final, singing and dancing as the team secured the title.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu joined the chorus of national celebrations with a warm tribute. “Mammoth Congratulations to our Golden Girls who won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, making Nigeria the first African Nation to win a Women’s World football title at any level. What a proud and unforgettable moment for Nigeria!” she wrote.
“You have shown the world that greatness knows no gender, age or boundaries. With courage, determination, teamwork and an unbreakable fighting spirit, you have carried the Nigerian flag high and brought immense joy and pride to millions of Nigerians at home and across the world. You are more than champions; you are role models, trailblazers and an inspiration to every young Nigerian girl who dares to dream of greatness,” Bianca said. “You have made Nigeria proud. You have made Africa proud. You have reminded the world that the Nigerian spirit is unstoppable!”
Oluebube Umejiaku, who scored the decisive second goal in the final and netted four times in the tournament, was widely recognised as one of the standout performers and received the Golden Ball as the competition’s best player in several reports.
The Flamingos’ triumph marks a significant milestone for Nigerian and African women’s football, coming at a time when the senior Super Eagles faced challenges in other competitions. The team’s return home has triggered widespread celebrations across the country, with the players expected to receive further official recognition in the coming days.
