Nigeria’s Flamingos Win U-17 Women’s World Cup, Umejiaku Takes Golden Ball
Nigeria’s Flamingos have won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, beating Japan 2-1 in the final in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, November 7, 2026. According to Voice of Nigeria, it is Nigeria’s first title in the competition and the first for any African team. Oluebube Umejiaku, who scored the second goal, was named best player of the tournament.
How the Final Was Won
Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring, according to Daily Sports, and Oluebube Umejiaku doubled the lead in the 47th minute, according to TheNiche. The final was played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, according to TheNiche.
Japan pulled one back in the 80th minute through Fuki Ito, setting up a tense finish, according to Graphic Online. Nigeria’s defence held firm under late pressure to secure the win.
Captain Chidera Chidi lifted the trophy, according to FIFA. The Flamingos’ coach said, “It’s a dream come true,” according to a Complete Sports headline.
Road to the Title
Graphic Online listed Nigeria’s results: a 1-2 loss to Poland, then wins over Puerto Rico (2-0), DPR Korea (3-1), Mexico (2-1), Venezuela (1-0), Brazil (3-1) and Japan (2-1). Bashiru also scored twice in the 3-1 semi-final win over Brazil, according to Guardian Nigeria.
The Flamingos’ best previous finish was third place in 2022, according to ESPN. Japan, who won the title in 2014, were playing their fourth final, according to Guardian Nigeria.
Voice of Nigeria said the win also makes Nigeria the first African country to win the U-17 World Cup in both the men’s and women’s categories. It also described the Flamingos as the first Nigerian women’s team to win a world title.
Individual Awards
FIFA announced the individual award winners after the final, according to Channels Television and Complete Sports. Umejiaku won the adidas Golden Ball as best player, after scoring four goals in the tournament. DPR Korea’s Yu Jong-hyang took the Silver Ball, and Japan’s Fuki Ito took the Bronze Ball.
United States forward Maddie DiMaria won the Golden Boot with a record 12 goals, even though her team went out in the quarter-finals, according to FIFA. Yu Jong-hyang took the Silver Boot, and DPR Korea’s Ri Ui-gyong the Bronze Boot.
DPR Korea goalkeeper Kim Son-gyong won the Golden Glove, and Japan received the FIFA Fair Play Trophy.
Reaction and Next Steps
President Bola Tinubu congratulated the team in a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, saying, “Our young girls have conquered the world,” according to Premium Times. He singled out Bashiru and Umejiaku, whose goals secured the victory, and thanked the coaching crew, the NFF and the National Sports Commission.
Blueprint reported that NFF Acting General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme dedicated the win to Tinubu, and that the president directed the National Sports Commission to pay the players’ and officials’ outstanding bonuses and allowances.
Blueprint added that the Golden Eaglets, Nigeria’s men’s U-17 team, have won the world title five times, in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
Joydey9ja.com will update this report if more details emerge.
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