Flamingos return to Abuja after historic U-17 WORLD CUP win

Nigeria’s Flamingos touched down in Abuja on Monday morning after clinching their first FIFA U‑17 WOMEN’s WORLD CUP title in Morocco, PUNCH reported. They beat Japan 2‑1 in the final, with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku.

The win made the Flamingos the first African team to lift the global age‑grade trophy. Earlier in the year they had won the 2026 WAFU‑B U‑17 Girls CUP in Côte d’Ivoire, recording five wins, 17 goals scored and only one concession.

Head coach Hakeem Busari praised the squad’s determination and tactical discipline, noting the improvement in African women’s youth football. He said the group stage was tough, facing the defending champions, and that the team adjusted tactics in the final to limit Japan’s second‑ball play and space behind the defence.

President Bola TINUBU congratulated the team, calling the victory a moment of national pride and a milestone for African women’s football. He singled out Bashiru and Umejiaku for their goals and thanked the coaching staff, the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission.

Busari, appointed head coach on 2 April 2026, led the side to the title seven months later. He replaced Bankole Olowookere and previously coached Pacesetter Queens in Ibadan. His coaching qualifications were earned at the National Institute for Sports, Lagos, between 1999 and 2006.

After naming a 36‑player camp on 10 April 2026, Busari secured qualification by beating Benin’s Amazons 5‑3 on aggregate. The Flamingos opened the WORLD CUP with a 2‑1 loss to Poland, then beat Puerto Rico and North Korea to reach the knockout stage. They progressed past Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil before defeating Japan in the final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.