Nigeria’s Flamingos have written a new chapter in the history of African women’s football after defeating Brazil 3-1 to reach their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final in Morocco.
A brilliant second-half display, inspired by Queen Joseph and a brace from Awawu Bashiru, saw the Nigerian youngsters overcome their South American opponents in Wednesday’s semi-final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.
The victory also made the Flamingos the first African team to reach the final of the competition since its introduction in 2008, surpassing their previous best achievement of finishing third in 2022.
Nigeria began the encounter with attacking intent and created several opportunities, although Brazil initially threatened to spoil their plans. The South Americans nearly took the lead in the fourth minute when Sofia Gamonal found herself in a promising position, but goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho made an important intervention before the attack was flagged for offside.
The Flamingos gradually grew into the contest, using their pace and attacking movement to put the Brazilian defence under pressure. Queen Joseph came close to breaking the deadlock in the 21st minute, but goalkeeper Nathy produced a save to keep the score level.
Brazil also threatened through Greise Kelly, who produced a clever backheel pass to Sarah Coelho in the 23rd minute. Coelho advanced before attempting a long-range effort, but her shot went narrowly wide.
Despite Nigeria creating more opportunities before the interval, neither side managed to find the breakthrough, and the teams went into half-time with the score at 0-0.
The second half, however, belonged to the Flamingos.
Nigeria continued their pressure after the restart and were rewarded in the 56th minute when Queen Joseph opened the scoring. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi drove forward down the right and sent the ball into the danger area. After the Brazilian defence failed to deal with the situation, Joseph was perfectly positioned to turn the loose ball into the net and give Nigeria a deserved 1-0 lead.
The goal lifted the confidence of the Nigerian youngsters, who continued to push forward in search of a second. Brazil goalkeeper Nathy kept her side in the contest with another important intervention, denying Mary Dunstan in the 62nd minute.
But the Brazilian resistance finally gave way again in the 71st minute when Awawu Bashiru doubled Nigeria’s advantage. Queen Joseph turned provider this time, setting up Bashiru, who produced a fine finish to make it 2-0 and put the Flamingos firmly in control.
Bashiru was not finished. The midfielder struck again in the 80th minute to complete her brace and effectively end Brazil’s hopes of a comeback. After receiving a pass from Oluebube Umejiaku, she sent a dangerous delivery from the left that curled beyond Nathy and found the back of the net, extending Nigeria’s lead to 3-0.
Brazil managed to find a response in the 89th minute when Greise Kelly rose to meet a cross from Yasmin Queiroz and headed past Ijirigho to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
However, the late goal proved little more than a consolation as Nigeria maintained their composure to see out the remaining minutes and secure a memorable victory.
Bashiru’s two-goal contribution earned her the Player of the Match award, capping a remarkable performance in which she made a decisive impact in the semi-final.
The result represents a major milestone for Nigerian football. Having finished third at the 2022 edition, the Flamingos have now gone a step further by reaching their maiden final and guaranteeing the country its best-ever finish in the competition.
Nigeria will now face Japan in Saturday’s final, with the opportunity to become the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
After overcoming Brazil in emphatic fashion, the Flamingos are just one victory away from turning their historic campaign into a world title triumph.
