For the first time, Nigeria will contest the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The Flamingos defeated Brazil 3–1 on Wednesday, 4 November, turning a scoreless first half into a decisive second-half performance at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco. Their next opponents will be Japan, who advanced from the other semi-final.
Queen Joseph made the breakthrough in the 56th minute. The goal changed the position of a match in which Nigeria had already created chances without converting them. The Nigeria Football Federation’s report names Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Oluebube Umejiaku among the early attackers and records a save that kept Joseph out in the first half.
Awawu Bashiru then gave Nigeria a substantial cushion. The midfielder scored in the 71st minute and again in the 80th, putting the Flamingos three goals ahead. Those two finishes, nine minutes apart, meant that the late response from Brazil did not threaten to erase Nigeria’s entire advantage. Greise Kelly scored Brazil’s goal in the 89th minute.
The result improves on Nigeria’s previous best finish in this competition, third place in India in 2022. It is a first final for the under-17 women’s side, not a claim about every Nigerian national team or every FIFA tournament. Winning a semi-final also does not make the Flamingos world champions: the title still has to be decided.
Nigeria’s route to this stage included a much narrower quarter-final. Azeezat Oduntan’s late penalty settled the 1–0 victory over Venezuela on 1 November. Against Brazil, the goals came earlier in the second half and from two different scorers. That difference explains how Nigeria secured this final place. Both victories secured progress through knockout rounds.
What it means for you. Nigeria now have a confirmed final to follow, rather than a possible one. FIFA’s tournament programme lists the final for Saturday, 7 November. Japan are the opponents, following their penalty-shootout victory over DPR Korea. Check the organiser’s match page for the final viewing arrangements; Wednesday’s victory establishes the fixture, not its outcome.