Nigeria Beats Japan 2-1 to Win First FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria beat Japan 2-1 in the final of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup on Saturday in Rabat, Morocco, winning the tournament for the first time and becoming the first African team to lift the trophy.

Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute, when her looping shot slipped through the gloves of Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki. Two minutes after halftime, Oluebube Umejiaku doubled the lead, racing onto a long pass from Esther Stephen and lifting the ball over the advancing Kadowaki.

Japan pulled one back with ten minutes left, when substitute Anri Ito headed a corner back across goal for Fuki Ito to volley home. Nigeria held on through the closing minutes to close out the win at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.

A first for Africa

The win made Nigeria the first African nation to win the women’s under-17 tournament, and the first team to win it after losing its opening match. The Flamingos started the tournament with a 2-1 defeat to Poland, then beat Puerto Rico 2-0 and defending champions Korea DPR 3-1 to reach the knockout rounds, where they got past Mexico 2-1, Venezuela 1-0 and Brazil 3-1.

Umejiaku was named player of the match. “I feel good, I feel very happy. I thank God for everything,” she told FIFA after the game. “It was very difficult for us but the instructions of the coaches made us put our heads up and just take everything as it comes.”

Japan’s late push fell short

Japan, which won the tournament in 2014, started the final as favourites and pushed hard in the closing minutes, but could not find a second goal. “First of all, I have to say that Nigeria were a very strong team,” Japan coach Sadayoshi Shirai said. “I think our players fought incredibly hard until the very end.”

Nigeria’s previous best finish at the tournament was third place, at the 2022 edition in India.

Reporting based on coverage by FIFA and Flashscore.