Nigeria are now just 45 minutes away from a first-ever U17 Women’s World Cup as they lead Japan 1-0 by the break.
NIGERIA BREAKS THE DEADLOCK IN THE FINAL! GOOOOOAL‼ Awawu Bashiru strikes in the 39th minute to put the Flamingos 1-0 ahead against Japan in the Grand Final #U17WWC #SoarFlamingos #Nigeria https://t.co/Q38MZPNU3N
— NTA Sports 24 (@ntasports_24) November 7, 2026
It was an even encounter with the Flamingos creating the better chances in the first period.
The team’s leading scorers Oluebube Umejiaku and Kemi Adegbuyi both had big chances in the opening exchanges.
In the 24th minute, Umejiaku was through on goal but instead of picking her spot, she chose to go round the onrushing goalkeeper and in the process she was played away from goal.
Almost immediately after Awawu Bashiru also came close for Nigeria.
Nigerian were very close to the opening goal in the 38th minute again, before they finally broke the deadlock when the Japan goalkeeper fumbled a speculative shot from the edge of the box by Awawu Bashiru.
It was Bashiru’s third of the tournament after she scored twice against Brazil in the semifinal in her first start.
