Nigeria’s Flamingos have made history by becoming the first African nation to reach the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, and they will chase the country’s first world title against Japan on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, with kick-off at 7:30 PM Nigerian time.
The Flamingos beat Brazil 3-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final, with Joseph Quincy scoring in the 56th minute before Aminat Bashiru struck in the 71st and again nine minutes later. Brazil pulled a goal back through Greise Kelly in the 89th minute, but Nigeria held firm to secure at least a silver medal.
The route to Rabat tested the team’s nerve from the very start. Nigeria lost 2-1 to Poland in their opening Group B match, and that setback left them needing a strong response.
They delivered it with a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico, with Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Precious Oscar scoring.
Read also on New Daily Prime:Flamingos face must-win test against Puerto Rico after Poland defeat
Flamingos flys to Morocco chasing Redemption after last year World Cup heartbreak
Flamingos bow out of U-17 World Cup after defeat to Italy
The group finale produced the biggest statement of the campaign. Nigeria beat defending champions Korea DPR 3-1, with Adegbuyi, Umejiaku and Kanyinsola Yusuf scoring, and in doing so they ended the Koreans’ unbeaten run in the competition.
The knockout rounds demanded patience and composure. In the Round of 16, Nigeria beat Mexico 2-1, with Umejiaku scoring in the 40th minute and Mary Dunstan adding a second in the 71st, which sent the Flamingos into the last eight. The quarter-final against Venezuela proved far harder, because neither side could find a way through. Just as the match seemed headed for extra time, captain Azeezat Oduntan converted an 89th-minute penalty to win it 1-0.
That late spot-kick set up the semi-final against Brazil, who had also never reached a final, and Nigeria then claimed their historic place.
The Flamingos’ previous best finish was third place at the 2022 edition in India, where they lost their semi-final to Colombia before beating Germany in the third-place match. The current squad has already surpassed that mark.
The final will pit Nigeria against Japan, and the Flamingos will arrive in Rabat with momentum, belief and a record that shows how they handle pressure.
They conceded first in the tournament, recovered, and then beat the holders and two South American sides to get here.
