By Samuel Akpan
In a monumental night at the Mohammed VI Stadium in Morocco, Nigeria’s Flamingos secured their place in football history by edging Japan 2-1 to become the first African team to lift the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
The victory was forged on clinical finishing and fierce defence.
Awawu Bashiru put the Hakeem Busari-led side ahead late in the first half before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the lead right after the break.
Although Japan’s Fuki Ito set up a tense finish with an 80th-minute goal, the Nigerian squad held their ground under pressure to claim the trophy.