From losing their first game to beating the world champion, the Flamingos have just done what no Nigerian team at this level has ever done before.

Nigeria’s Flamingos are in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. For the first time. Ever.

In a tense semi-final in Morocco last night, Bankole Olowookere’s girls turned on the style in the second half to beat Brazil 3-1, according to reports via cbinews.tv

It was goalless at half-time, frustrating, because Nigeria had created all the big chances. Then the floodgates opened.

56th minute: Queen Joseph, remember that name, finished calmly from Oluwakemi Adegbuyi’s assist. 1-0.

71st minute: Joseph turned provider for Awawu Bashiru to double it.

80th minute: Bashiru again, this time from Oluebube Umejiaku’s pass. 3-0 and cruising.

Brazil got a late consolation through Greise Kelly in the 89th minute, but it was done.

These are 15, 16, 17-year-old girls who started this tournament with a 2-1 loss to Poland. Most people wrote them off.

What followed has been pure grit:

Beat Puerto Rico 2-0

Stunned defending champions North Korea 3-1 – ending their incredible 18-match unbeaten run in regulation time at this tournament

Edged Mexico 2-1 in the Round of 16

A dramatic 89th-minute penalty from Azeezat Oduntan to beat Venezuela 1-0 in the quarters

And now, Brazil.

This isn’t a fluke. They arrived in Morocco as WAFU B champions, won all five matches, scored 17, conceded just once.

Nigeria has played in every edition bar one since the competition started in 2008, but the ceiling has always been low. Our best was bronze in 2022 when we beat Germany on penalties. Quarter-finals, Round of 16, that’s been the story.

This team has just smashed that ceiling.

It matters because it proves the pipeline is working. While the Super Falcons fight for global relevance, the Flamingos are showing that grassroots girls’ football in Nigeria, when properly supported, can compete with and beat the best academies in Brazil, North Korea and Europe. It’s a huge statement for investment, for visibility, and for the next girl in Lagos, Makurdi or Owerri who wants to play.

Final. Saturday. Nigeria vs Japan.

Japan beat defending champions North Korea in the other semi-final. They are technical, ruthless, and former champions themselves. But momentum? That’s all Nigeria right now.

One more win for history.

Source: cbinews.tv

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