The National Sports Commission (NSC) has congratulated Nigeria’s Flamingos following their historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, describing the achievement as a defining moment for the country and African women’s football.
Nigeria secured the title with a 2–1 victory over Japan in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé, Morocco, becoming the first African nation to win the competition.
Goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku gave the Flamingos a two-goal advantage before Fuki Ito pulled one back for Japan in the closing stages. Nigeria held on to claim a landmark title and complete a remarkable recovery from their opening match defeat to Poland.
In a statement released after the final, the NSC praised the players for delivering a breakthrough achievement that places Nigeria in a new category of global youth football success.
“The National Sports Commission congratulates the Nigeria U-17 Women’s National Team on this remarkable achievement, which marks a defining moment for Nigerian and African women’s football,” the commission said.
READ MORE: Flamingos make history as Nigeria beat Japan to win first U-17 Women’s World Cup title
The NSC also drew attention to the wider significance of the victory, noting that Nigeria have now become the first country to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in both the men’s and women’s categories.
The Golden Eaglets had previously established Nigeria’s reputation in the men’s competition, winning the title five times in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015. The Flamingos have now added the women’s crown, marking Nigeria’s first triumph in the competition since its establishment in 2008.
The commission further highlighted another unusual feature of the campaign, describing Nigeria as the first team in the history of the women’s tournament to lose their opening match and go on to win the trophy.
The Flamingos began their campaign with a 2–1 defeat to Poland but responded with six consecutive victories against Puerto Rico, North Korea, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil and Japan to finish as champions.
The NSC concluded its message by celebrating the players and their contribution to Nigerian sport.
“Congratulations, Flamingos. Nigeria celebrates you. Africa celebrates you.”
