Nigeria are U-17 world champions: the Flamingos beat Japan 2-1 in Rabat to claim Africa's first title

Nigeria are the new U-17 world champions. The Flamingos beat Japan 2-1 on Saturday in the final of the U-17 Women's World Cup, played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco, and became the first African nation to lift the trophy in this age group.

Goals from Awawu Bashiru, in the 39th minute, and Oluebube Umejiaku, in the 47th, built Nigeria's lead. Fuki Ito pulled one back for Japan in the 80th minute and set up a tense finish, but the side coached by Akeem Busari held on to celebrate a title that comfortably improves their previous best: third place at the 2022 edition in India.

A mistake, a lob and fifteen minutes of suffering

Nigeria were on the front foot from the start and the reward came before the break. Bashiru sent a dropping ball looping towards goal and Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki, who looked set to gather it, let it squirm between her gloves and into the net for 1-0.

Just two minutes after the restart came the moment of the final. Esther Stephen hit a long pass upfield, Umejiaku won the race, controlled with her left foot and finished with a delicate lob over Kadowaki. It was 2-0 and, in time, the image of the tournament: the forward was named Player of the Match and later won the competition's Golden Ball, with four goals in the tournament.

Japan, champions in 2014 and runners-up in 2010 and 2016, did not give up. Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, volleying in after Anri Ito headed a corner back across goal, and the Asian side, who had knocked out North Korea on penalties in the semifinal, pushed for an equaliser until the end. It was not enough: Nigeria held firm and Japan's fourth final ended in another defeat.

From losing the opener to champions

The Flamingos' road had a rough start: they lost 2-1 to Poland in their opening match. From then on they won everything. They beat Puerto Rico and defending champions North Korea in the group stage, saw off Mexico in the round of 16 and Venezuela in the quarterfinals, and thrashed Brazil 3-1 in the semifinal, with two goals from Bashiru. As Nigerian media pointed out, it is the first time in the tournament's history that a team has lost its first match and gone on to win the title.

The individual awards

• Golden Ball: Oluebube Umejiaku (Nigeria). Silver Ball: Yu Jong-hyang (North Korea). Bronze Ball: Fuki Ito (Japan).
• Golden Boot: Maddie DiMaria (United States), top scorer with 12 goals, a tournament record.
• Golden Glove: Kim Son-gyong (North Korea).
• Fair Play Award: Japan.

In the third-place match, North Korea beat Brazil 6-0.

Nigeria's title is a landmark for African women's football and sends a clear message to the next generation: the game is theirs too, and now with a world star on the shirt.

Sources: FIFA, Channels Television, Premium Times, Voice of Nigeria, Daily Trust.