2026 U-17 WWC final: Why Nigeria beat Japan to win trophy - Flamingos' Oluebube Umejiaku

Flamingos star Oluebube Umejiaku has explained why Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final.

Umejiaku, who won the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament, said Nigeria’s victory over Japan was built on composure and self-belief rather than forcing the game.

“We didn’t have to push for the goals, just to keep ourselves up, and we needed to encourage ourselves on the field of play,” Umejiaku said at her post-match interview after Nigeria clinched the title in Morocco.

Goals from Umejiaku and Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the victory against Japan.

Fuki Ito did score a late goal for Japan, which was not enough for the Asian side to spark a comeback.