By NewsDesk –
Nigeria’s Flamingos have reached the final of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time after defeating Brazil 3-1 in their semi-final clash in Morocco.
The Nigerian girls produced a spirited second-half performance to overcome their South American opponents, scoring three goals before Brazil grabbed a late consolation.
Queen Joseph opened the scoring in the 56th minute, finishing off an assist from Oluwakemi Adegubyi to give Nigeria the lead.
The Flamingos doubled their advantage in the 71st minute when Awawu Bashiru found the net, with Queen Joseph providing the assist.
Bashiru struck again in the 80th minute to make it 3-0, this time converting a pass from Oluebube Umejiaku as Nigeria took firm control of the encounter.
Brazil pulled one back in the 89th minute through Greise Kelly, assisted by Yasmin Queiroz, but the goal came too late to threaten Nigeria’s victory.
The first half had ended goalless, with Nigeria creating several opportunities but unable to break the deadlock.
The victory sends the Flamingos into their first-ever final of the competition, marking a historic achievement for the Nigerian side.
They will face Japan in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Japan defeated defending champions North Korea in the other semi-final to book their place in the title decider.
Remarkable Turnaround
The victory completes a remarkable turnaround for the Flamingos, who began their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Poland. They responded with a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico, with Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Precious Oscar scoring, before recording a 3-1 victory over defending champions North Korea.
The win over North Korea was particularly significant as it ended the Asian side’s 18-match unbeaten run in regulation time at the competition. Adegbuyi, Umejiaku and Kanyinsola Rodiat Yusuf scored for Nigeria in that encounter.
Nigeria finished second in Group B with six points, having scored six goals and conceded four in their three group matches.
In the Round of 16, the Flamingos defeated Mexico 2-1, with Umejiaku and Mary Dunstan scoring in either half. Mexico’s Emily Delgado scored late, but Nigeria held on to progress to the quarter-finals.
They then edged Venezuela 1-0 in the last eight, with Azeezat Oduntan converting an 89th-minute penalty to secure their place in the semi-finals and set up the meeting with Brazil.
The achievement marks another milestone for the team, whose previous best performance at the competition was a third-place finish in 2022, when they defeated Germany on penalties in the bronze-medal match.
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The Flamingos had also arrived in Morocco on the back of an impressive WAFU B U-17 title-winning campaign in which they won all five matches, scored 17 goals and conceded just once.
Their victory over Brazil now takes them beyond their previous best at the tournament and gives them the opportunity to compete for the title for the first time.
(Channels NEWS)
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