Nigeria beat Japan to win U17 Women's World Cup and give Africa its first world title
African women's football has just reached a historic milestone. Nigeria won the Under-17 Women's World Cup in Rabat on Saturday evening, beating Japan 2-1 in the final. The success makes the Nigerians the first African side to win a world title in women's football, across all age categories.
Rieltony LOUBOKO · Author profile ·
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Facing a Japan side playing their fourth final and who had already won the tournament in 2014, Nigeria's players quickly showed their resolve. Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a long-range strike that caught the opposition goalkeeper, Kou Kadowaki, by surprise.
After the break, Oluebube Umejiaku doubled the lead as early as the 47th minute with a perfectly executed lob. Japan tried to get back into the game when Fuki Ito pulled one back ten minutes from time. But Akeem Busari's players held on until the final whistle to claim the trophy.
A historic first for African women's football
This triumph ends a long wait for the continent. Nigeria had already come close to a world title at youth level, notably with the Falconets, runners-up at the U20 Women's World Cup in 2010 and 2014. Each time, Germany ended their run.
At U17 level, the Flamingos had reached the semi-finals in 2022, finishing third. This time they cleared the final hurdle and wrote their name into African football history.
Nigeria also become the first African country to win the U17 World Cup in both the boys' and girls' competitions. The men's side had already won five editions, in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
Growing in strength all the way to the title
The Nigerians' route was nonetheless not without difficulty. They had begun the tournament with a defeat to Poland (0-2), before gradually rediscovering their efficiency. In the group stage they notably beat North Korea, the defending champions, 3-1.
In the semi-final, the Flamingos confirmed their progress by beating Brazil by the same scoreline. Their victory over Japan crowned this resurgence.
Named player of the tournament, Oluebube Umejiaku was one of the leading figures of this run. At home in Morocco, Nigeria thus opened a new chapter in the history of African women's football, with a first world title that could serve as a benchmark for future generations.