Akeem Busari believes Nigeria’s historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup triumph could mark a turning point for African football, while goalscorers Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku have declared that the Flamingos’ breakthrough is only the beginning of greater things to come.
The three members of Nigeria’s title-winning squad have offered different perspectives on the achievement, from its significance for the continent to the teamwork, discipline and belief that carried the team through a remarkable campaign in Morocco.
Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat to become the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, ending the continent’s long wait for the title.
Busari believes the achievement represents more than a historic trophy for Nigeria, with the Flamingos’ success providing evidence that African teams are increasingly capable of competing for the biggest honours in youth football.
Speaking in an interview with FIFA after the final, the Nigerian coach described the triumph as a significant moment for the continent, believing it could change how African teams approach international competitions.
“This is a turnaround for Africa,” Busari said. “In terms of youth-age football, it’s improving and here we could really come and compete. Being a champion is going to go a long way to really motivate us, and we are sending a signal, a message to the world that Africa is really coming.”
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The coach also highlighted the standards he demanded from his players throughout the tournament, explaining that selection was based on character, attitude and merit rather than reputation or individual ability alone.
“No matter how good you are, I’m a coach that plays on character,” Busari said. “It’s all about mindset, attitude and merit; if they’re there, you get your playing time. If they’re not there, you’re waiting to come in. As a coach, we want everyone to wire up and play together.”
That philosophy was reflected in the contributions of Bashiru and Umejiaku, who became two of Nigeria’s most influential players during the decisive stages of the competition.
Bashiru, in particular, enjoyed a remarkable transformation from a squad player to one of the tournament’s standout performers. Having made substitute appearances in all three group matches and the round of 16 encounter against Mexico, she had accumulated only 77 minutes before Nigeria’s quarter-final against Venezuela.
Her opportunity to start against Brazil in the semi-final proved decisive, as she scored twice to help the Flamingos secure a place in the final. She then opened the scoring against Japan, producing an audacious effort from outside the penalty area in the 39th minute.
Reflecting on the achievement, the midfielder expressed her excitement and gratitude, identifying teamwork and the players’ willingness to follow instructions as central to their success.
“I’m so happy, I’m so excited and I’m so grateful,” she said. “The teamwork, instruction and listening to our coaches is why we got the goals and why we won the final. We are history-makers. We made Nigeria, and the millions of people there, proud.”
Bashiru also expressed confidence that Nigeria could build on the historic success, promising that the team would return with the same determination at the next edition of the tournament.
“We can expect more from Nigeria,” Bashiru added. “We are winning and we’ll bring the same energy, the same zing, at the next U-17 Women’s World Cup.”
While Bashiru’s emergence became one of the defining stories of Nigeria’s campaign, Umejiaku provided another outstanding individual contribution, finishing the tournament with the Golden Ball award as its best player.
The forward was also named Player of the Match in the final after scoring what proved to be the winning goal against Japan, doubling Nigeria’s advantage just two minutes into the second half.
Her goal completed a remarkable run of performances in which she scored or provided an assist in every match she featured in. She scored against Poland, North Korea, Mexico and Japan, supplied assists against Puerto Rico and Brazil, and won the decisive penalty against Venezuela.
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Speaking after the final, Umejiaku declared that Nigeria’s success would inspire further African achievements, insisting that the continent had broken a barrier with its first title in the competition.
“I’m very happy because now we have broken the chain. In Africa we always win – that’s a promise. We’ve won, and now we’ll be winning and winning, that’s just it. We thank God for everything,” she said.
The Golden Ball winner also revealed the role of prayer and patience in her journey through the tournament, particularly while waiting for her opportunity to become a regular starter.
“Every time I went to training and every time I slept, I told God that I’m praying for all the people that are starting. But when I wanted to start, I just told God that it is my time,” the ecstatic forward added.
Umejiaku further explained how Nigeria’s difficult opening match against Poland helped change the team’s mentality, with the players deciding to approach every subsequent fixture with greater urgency.
“When we lost the first game against Poland, everybody said we needed to wake up because we didn’t come here to look at anybody’s face and we have to take every game as a final. We don’t downgrade anything; we play and we put all our best into every game,” she said.
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That response proved decisive. After losing 2-1 to Poland in their opening group match, the Flamingos recovered with victories over Puerto Rico and North Korea before navigating the knockout rounds against Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil.
Their 2-1 victory over Japan in the final, secured through goals from Bashiru and Umejiaku before Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, completed six consecutive victories after the opening setback.
Nigeria’s triumph has now given the country its first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title and made the Flamingos pioneers of an achievement that Busari believes could have lasting consequences for African youth football.
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