Nigeria’s Flamingos on Saturday defeated Japan 2-1 to lift their first-ever Under-17 Women’s World Cup trophy at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.
Awau Bashiru put Nigeria in the lead in the 39th minute, while Olubebe Umejiaku added to the tally in the 47th minute, before Fuki Ito pulled one back for the Little Nadeshiko.
Despite a defeat in their group opener, the Nigerian team returned to winning ways, with six consecutive victories.
The Akeem Busari-tutored side, with the victory, has become the first African women’s team to win a FIFA competition.
Nigeria is now also the first African country to win FIFA World Cups in both the U17 men’s and women’s categories.
The Japanese, who won the bronze medal in the last edition, settled for silver at the tournament.
In the third-place match, DPR Korea claimed the bronze medal by trouncing Brazil 6-0.