Flamingos vs Japan: Nigeria Chase Historic First U-17 Women’s World Cup Title

• Flamingos vs Japan offers Nigeria a chance to make history, with the team targeting its first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title in Saturday’s final.

Nigeria’s Flamingos face Japan in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final on Saturday, November 7, with an opportunity to become the first African team to win the competition.

The final in Morocco represents Nigeria’s first appearance at this stage, surpassing the country’s previous best finish of third place in 2022.

Captain Harmony Chidi has expressed the team’s determination to make Nigerians proud by completing the campaign with victory over Japan.

Nigeria secured its place with a 3–1 semi-final victory over Brazil on Wednesday. Queen Joseph opened the scoring before Awawu Bashiru struck twice to put the Flamingos in control. Brazil’s late consolation did not prevent Nigeria from advancing.

Bashiru received the Player of the Match award for her performance.

Japan reached the final through a penalty shootout against defending champions North Korea. The teams finished level at 1–1 before Japan won the shootout 4–1.

Nigeria also recorded a narrow quarter-final victory, defeating Venezuela 1–0, while Japan overcame Ghana by the same score.

President Bola Tinubu has urged the Flamingos to approach the final with confidence and the determination that carried them through the earlier rounds.

In a congratulatory message issued through presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised their semi-final achievement and called on Nigerians to support the team.

The Flamingos now have one match remaining in their pursuit of a maiden world title.