Nigeria’s U‑17 women’s team, the Flamingos, clinched a 2‑1 victory over Japan in the 2026 FIFA U‑17 Women’s World Cup final on Saturday in Morocco, becoming the first African nation to win the tournament.
The match saw goals from Awawu Bashiru and Olubebe Umejiaku secure the win for Nigeria, while Japan’s lone goal was scored by Fuki Ito. The decisive strike came after a tightly contested game that ended with the Flamingos edging out the Asian side.
The triumph marks a historic milestone for African football, as no team from the continent had previously lifted the U‑17 Women’s World Cup trophy since the competition’s inception.
Social media erupted with congratulations and praise for the young athletes. Nigerians took to the platform X to celebrate the achievement, highlighting both national pride and calls for proper rewards for the players.
- @AshE_Nuel: “Nigeria U‑17 girls are the best in the world.”
- @SammyDavid43: “Taking the glory now, I hope their salary will payed.”
- @gabrielosagie19: “Congratulations to them, well deserved.”
- @hammedJelil2465: “Congratulations to the Flamingos, congratulations to Nigeria.”
- @HeyMaysarah: “See as our girls dey make the whole nation proud! Una don prove say greatness no get gender. Naija to the world.”
- @Firstsonvibe: “Nigeria is the first born of Africa, just get used to it as we don do am now e go easy for other African country to emulate.”
- @AdaGOkoli: “Big congratulations.”
- @Confidencetxb0: “Finally, it’s coming home.”
- @allofgrace76: “Big congratulations to the Flamingos, the U17 world champion. You've got to beat the best in order to be the best & that's exactly what the girls have done. It was that eliminated Ghana, thanks for serving the revenge rightly. These girls deserve to be rewarded well! Don’t Rage bait Perry.”
- @GodPutitin43634: “Make dem come collect their $50k each from FG dem try no be small.”
- @kenzy_flamz: “Normally na naija dey set the pace.”
- @Jaycn330: “Yes o congratulations.”
- @Remmzor__: “Congratulations small.”
- @thesmallprof: “Naija no dey carry last. If no be Buhari and Tinubu, we be true Giant of Africa.”
- @Akinsoji69: “Congratulations to our ladies and kudos to the whole team.”
- @teymhilardey: “We're champions baby!”
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
