Nigeria’s history-making Flamingos have returned home to a hero’s welcome after conquering the world at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The young Nigerian stars arrived in Abuja on Monday morning, two days after defeating Japan 2-1 in a thrilling final to become the first African country to win the competition.
Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s advantage shortly after the restart. Japan managed to pull one goal back late in the game, but the Flamingos held their nerve to secure the historic victory.
The achievement has sparked celebrations across the country, with Nigerians praising the players and their coaching crew for delivering a trophy that had eluded Africa since the competition began.
Head coach Hakeem Busari also received widespread recognition for guiding the team to glory barely seven months after his appointment. His tactical decisions and ability to get the best out of his young players proved crucial throughout the tournament.
For Nigerian football, this is more than just another trophy. It is a powerful reminder that the country’s future in women’s football could be even brighter.
