The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, celebrated the Flamingos for their historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup held in Morocco. The team triumphed over Japan with a score of 2-1 in the final match, becoming the first African team to secure the title.
In her congratulatory message, Mrs. Tinubu commended the players for their resilience and commitment, emphasizing that their achievement showcases Nigeria and Africa’s standing in women’s football. She remarked on the challenging path the team faced, recalling their initial 2-1 defeat to Poland, which they overcame by winning six consecutive matches.
The Flamingos’ path to glory included victories against Puerto Rico (2-0) and defending champions Korea DPR (3-1) before them earning a spot in the knockout rounds. Notably, they defeated Mexico (2-1) in the round of 16 and edged out Venezuela in the quarter-finals, where Azeezat Oduntan scored the decisive penalty.
One of their standout performances occurred in the semi-finals, where the Flamingos defeated Brazil with a score of 3-1 to advance to the final. In the championship match against Japan, Awawu Bashiru scored the opening goal in the 39th minute, followed shortly by Oluebube Umejiaku extending Nigeria’s lead, despite Japan managing to score once.
This victory not only marked Nigeria’s first title in the tournament but also ended Japan’s hopes of capturing a second championship, following their earlier wins in 2014 and earlier runner-up finishes. The Flamingos’ achievement signifies a landmark moment for African women’s football, enhancing the continent’s profile on the global stage.
