Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, arrived in Abuja on Monday morning, November 9, 2026, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
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The team secured Nigeria’s maiden title at the tournament on Saturday, November 7, after defeating 2014 champions Japan 2–1 in the final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.
Midfielder Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a looping long-range effort, before Golden Ball winner Oluebube Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s advantage two minutes into the second half with a composed chip over the Japanese goalkeeper. Japan pulled a goal back in the 80th minute through Fuki Ito, but the Nigerian defense held firm through five minutes of stoppage time to seal the victory.
With the win, the Flamingos became the first African nation to lift the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy since the competition’s inception in 2008, surpassing Nigeria’s previous best finish of a bronze medal in 2022.
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