Nigeria’s Flamingos have become the first African team to win the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup after beating Japan 2-1 in yesterday’s final in Morocco.
Goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku were all the Nigerian girls needed to overpower Japan and write the country’s name in the record books.
Japan, three-time finalists and champions in 2014, were favourites for the title ahead of the final in Rabat.
However, the Flamingos were the better team on the night as they become the first Nigerian women’s team in history to win a world title.
The victory over Japan gives Nigeria its first-ever FIFA women’s world title and makes the Flamingos the first African team to lift the U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.
Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scored either side of half-time to put head coach Akeem Busari’s team in control before Japan pulled a goal back in the closing stages.
Bashiru broke the deadlock in the 39th minute with a long-range effort that beat the Japanese goalkeeper to give Nigeria the lead.
The Flamingos doubled their advantage just two minutes into the second half. Umejiaku spotted the goalkeeper off her line and produced a delicate chip to make it 2-0 in the 47th minute.
Japan fought back and reduced the deficit through Fuki Ito, who scored from a corner in the 80th minute.
The goal set up a nervy finish, but Nigeria defended their lead to see out the victory and claim the trophy.
Nigeria’s victory ends a long wait for an African country to win a FIFA women’s tournament.
The Super Falcons have won a record 10 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles but have yet to lift a FIFA World Cup trophy.
Nigeria’s U-20 side, the Falconets, also came close, reaching the final in 2010 and 2014 before losing to Germany on both occasions.
The Blaze reports that Busari’s team had to recover from a 2-1 defeat to Poland in their opening group game before finding their feet in the competition.
They went on to beat defending champions North Korea 3-1 in the group stage and then defeated Brazil by the same scoreline in the semi-finals to book their place in the final.
Beating Japan completes Nigeria’s run to the title and makes the country the first in Africa to win the women’s FIFA U-17 World Cup.
