Nigeria’s Flamingos on Saturday became the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, beating Japan 2-1 in the final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.

Awawu Bashiru put Nigeria ahead in the 39th minute. Her dropping effort from distance slipped through the hands of Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki, with Mary Dunstan credited with the assist. Oluebube Umejiaku doubled the lead two minutes into the second half, finishing a move set up by Esther Stephen. Japan pulled one back in the 80th minute through Fuki Ito, who converted a pass from Anri Ito, and pushed for an equaliser.

The Flamingos held firm through five minutes of added time and also hit the crossbar from a corner late on.

The win is the first FIFA World Cup title for any African women’s national team. It also makes Nigeria the first African country to win the U-17 World Cup in both the men’s and women’s categories, adding to the five titles the Golden Eaglets have won in the boys’ competition. Before this tournament, the Flamingos’ best finish was third place at the 2022 edition in India.

The route to the trophy began badly. Akeem Busari’s side lost their opening group game 2-1 to Poland, then recovered with a win over Puerto Rico and a 3-1 victory over defending champions North Korea. They went on to beat Mexico and Venezuela before a 3-1 semi-final win over Brazil, which made them the first African team to reach the final. Bashiru scored twice in that semi-final and was named Player of the Match. Her strike against Japan was her third goal of the tournament.

Japan, who won the competition in 2014, had to settle for silver. Captain Harmony Chidi had said before the final that her side were ready to deliver a maiden title to Nigeria, and the Flamingos did exactly that.

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