By our reporter 4.11.2026
Nigeria’s Flamingos will play against Japan in the final FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after they dispatched Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final Wednesday in Morocco.
Nigeria is reaching the final for the first in the history of their participating in the tournament.
The first half was goalless but in the second half the Nigerian women came out strong producing one of the greatest upsets of the tournament.
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.
In the other semi-final Japan beat North Korea the defending champions.
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 Flamingos lost their opening group games to Poland, but bounced back with wins over Costa Rica and North Korea. Nigeria will now look to carry that momentum into the final against a Japanese side standing between them and the ultimate prize.