Nigeria became the first country in FIFA organised competitions for women to lose its opening game 1-2 to Poland and bounced back to defeat Japan in the final and lift the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
No female team has achieved that feat and even across FIFA competitions, only four teams have recorded that achievement. Mexico in 2005 at the U17 Men’s World Cup lost their opening match 1-2 to Uruguay but fought their way through to the final to defeat Brazil 3-0 to win the trophy.
Argentina also in 2005 FIFA U20 Men’s World Cup, lost their opening game 0-1 to the USA but rejigged their team to fight through to the final where they defeated Nigeria 2-1 to lift the trophy.
At the senior level, only Spain in 2010 in South Africa lost their opening game to Switzerland 0-1 but got to the final to lift the trophy after defeating Netherlands 1-0.
In 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Argentina lost their opening game 1-2 to Saudi Arabia but still made it to the final where they defeated France on penalties to win the cup.
Nigeria became the first African country to win the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup on Saturday evening, after the fabulous Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in a spectacular final in Rabat.
In the event, Nigeria also became the first country on the African continent to win the FIFA U17 World Cup in both male and female categories, following five triumphs in the male version of the competition in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
The Flamingos also became the very first African women national team to win a FIFA World Cup trophy.
The Nigerian girls were crowned champions after a sensational goal by Awawu Bashiru in the 39th minute of the first half and a clinical finish by Oluebube Umejiaku in the second half rendered Fuki Ito’s 80th minute strike a mere consolation for the Asians.
The Flamingos started on the front foot, looking to impose themselves on the contest, but Japan held firm as both sides searched for an opening goal in the early stages.
Nigeria eventually broke the deadlock in the 39th minute through Bashiru, who found the net with an effort from a distance. The strike proved too difficult for Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki to handle, as the ball slipped through her hands and into the net.
The goal, Bashiru’s third of the tournament (following a significant brace against Brazil in the semi finals), gave Nigeria the advantage heading into the closing stages of the first half.
The Flamingos wasted little time after the restart, doubling their lead just two minutes into the second half.
Oluebube Umejiaku found the net in the 47th minute to put Nigeria firmly in control of the final. With a two-goal cushion, Nigeria remained organised and kept Japan at bay as the contest entered its final 30 minutes.
Japan, however, refused to give up and found a way back into the contest through Fuki Ito, who scored in the 80th minute to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Kanyinsola Yusuf was booked three minutes later as the closing stages grew increasingly tense, with Japan pushing for an equaliser, but the Flamingos held on to their advantage to secure a memorable victory and claim the title, completing an impressive campaign under Head Coach Hakeem Busari’s leadership.
Queen Joseph, whose goal started the demolition of Brazil three days ago, Bashru, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, Kanyinsola Yusuf and Umejiaku fought bravely for the ball all over the pitch, and showed the true Nigeria spirit in an encounter watched by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe and former FIFA Council Member and two-term President of NFF, Amaju Melvin Pinnick. Pinnick was in office when Nigeria won the last of her FIFA U17 World Cup titles in the male category.
The Federal Government delegation, led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, included the Director General of the Commission, Bukola Olopade, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and Saleh Ahmadu.
Acting General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, was ecstatic as the final whistle sounded at the Complexe Mohammed VI: saying “This was an awesome performance by the girls all through. They lost their first match narrowly to Poland but rose stoutly and with determination from that setback to win the six matches that followed and lift this prestigious trophy. They are, indeed, fabulous Flamingos.”
NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, NSC DG, Bukola Olopade and NFF Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme with the Flamingos on the track before the trophy presentation on Saturday night.
