Nigeria Beat Japan 2-1 to Win First U-17 Women's World Cup Title

Nigeria beat Japan 2-1 in Rabat on Saturday to win the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup for the first time, becoming the first African nation to lift the trophy. Awawu Bashiru scored in the 39th minute and Oluebube Umejaiku added a second two minutes after half time at the Mohammed VI Football Complex. Fuki Ito pulled a goal back for Japan in the 80th minute, and Nigeria held on through a tense finish to close out a maiden title.

Bashiru breaks through before half time

Nigeria attacked from the start. Efforts from Bashiru and Umejaiku flew just past the post, and a wide free kick caused trouble in the Japan box when goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki dropped the ball and Umejaiku headed against the bar, FIFA reported. The opening goal came six minutes before half time. Bashiru sent a dropping ball looping toward goal, and it squirmed between Kadowaki's gloves and into the net. The Athletic NG reported the shot came from outside the penalty area, with Mary Dunstan providing the assist. Nigeria carried the 1-0 lead into the break.

Umejaiku doubles the lead, Japan answer late

Two minutes after the restart, Esther Stephen hit a long pass upfield and Umejaiku raced on to it, controlled the ball with her left foot and lobbed it over Kadowaki to make it 2-0, FIFA reported. Umejaiku was named Player of the Match. Japan pushed back. Nigeria goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho miscued a punch clear and the ball fell to Wara Shimizu, whose snapshot cleared the bar. Kadowaki then denied Umejaiku a third goal with a block with her foot. Japan scored with ten minutes left. Substitute Anri Ito headed a corner back across goal and Fuki Ito volleyed in to cut the lead to 2-1. Nigeria defended the closing minutes and held on.

Six straight wins after an opening defeat

The title completes a run that started badly. Akeem Busari's team lost its opening Group B match 2-1 to Poland, then won six matches in a row. Nigeria beat Puerto Rico and defending champions DPR Korea in the group, Mexico 2-1 in the round of 16, and Venezuela 1-0 in the quarter-final, where captain Azeezat Oduntan converted a late penalty. The Flamingos then beat Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final on November 4 to reach their first final. Japan had won this tournament in 2014 and were chasing a second title. Nigeria's previous best finish was third place in 2022. No African team had won the competition before Saturday.