Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has backed Nigeria’s Flamingos to overcome Japan in Saturday’s 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final, expressing confidence that the team can deliver a historic triumph for the country.
The Flamingos will take on Japan’s Little Nadeshiko at the Complexe Mohammed VI in Rabat, Morocco, with an opportunity to become the first African nation to win FIFA World Cup titles in both the men’s and women’s U-17 categories.
Nigeria’s journey to the final has been defined by resilience, tactical discipline and an increasingly potent attacking display, following an opening 1-2 defeat to Poland in the group stage.
Hakeem Busari’s side have since grown into the competition, eliminating Mexico and Venezuela before producing one of their most impressive performances against Brazil, whom they defeated 3-1 in the semi-finals.
The victory over Brazil, in which Nigeria registered 30 attempts on goal, reinforced the Flamingos’ credentials as genuine title contenders and set up a potentially historic encounter against the Japanese.
Ikpeme, who is expected to attend Saturday’s final, believes the Nigerian girls have demonstrated enough quality to overcome their Asian opponents and bring the trophy home.
“The NFF has confidence in the ability of the Flamingos to make Nigerians beam with smiles of joy on Saturday. If Brazil could not stop them, I don’t see Japan doing so.
“This is surely the year of the Flamingos, and the year Nigeria will again celebrate a global title,” he said.
The Flamingos have scored 12 goals in the tournament, with eight players contributing to their impressive attacking return.
Oluebube Umejiaku leads the scoring chart with three goals, while Awawu Bashiru and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi have scored twice each. Kanyinsola Yusuf, Queen Joseph, Mary Dunstan, Precious Oscar and captain Azeezat Oduntan have also found the net.
Japan, however, will provide a stern examination of Nigeria’s title ambitions. The Little Nadeshiko reached their fourth final after eliminating Korea Republic on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the semi-finals.
The Japanese have previously won the competition in 2014 and finished runners-up in 2010 and 2016, making them one of the most experienced teams at this level.
Saturday’s final is also expected to attract significant international attention, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe among the dignitaries expected in Rabat.
Nigeria’s Federal Government delegation will be led by National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko and will include NSC Director General Bukola Olopade and Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi.
For the Flamingos, the assignment goes beyond winning a trophy. Victory over Japan would secure Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title and deliver another historic milestone for African football.
