Nigeria’s Oluebube Umejiaku has added another remarkable achievement to the Flamingos’ historic World Cup triumph after being named the best player of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The 16-year-old forward won the prestigious Golden Ball award following her outstanding performances throughout the tournament in Morocco.
Umejiaku played a decisive role in Nigeria’s successful campaign, scoring four goals and delivering important contributions in the team’s journey to the final.
Her biggest moment came against Japan, where she scored Nigeria’s second goal in the 2-1 final victory. The strike proved decisive as the Flamingos held on to become the first African nation to win the competition.
The Heartland Queens forward was also influential in the knockout stages, helping Nigeria overcome difficult opponents on their way to the final.
Her Golden Ball award is another indication of the quality of young football talent emerging from Nigeria. At just 16, she has already delivered a performance that will be remembered by Nigerian football supporters for years.
Meanwhile, United States forward Maddie DiMaria claimed the Golden Boot after finishing the competition with an impressive 12 goals.
Umejiaku’s achievement is particularly special because she has combined individual brilliance with team success, helping Nigeria secure a historic global title.
The young star has now given millions of aspiring Nigerian footballers another reason to dream big.
