Sport AfricaBriefSoccer Checked story Published 7 November 2026 · Updated 7 Nov, 23:12 UTC

Japan 1–2 Nigeria: Flamingos win their first U-17 Women's World Cup — a first title for Africa

Nigeria's Flamingos beat Japan 2–1 in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat on Saturday 7 November 2026, to win the tournament for the first time and become the first African nation to lift the trophy. Awawu Bashiru put Nigeria ahead in the 39th minute and Oluebube Umejiaku doubled the lead in the 47th; Fuki Ito pulled one back for Japan in the 80th minute, but Nigeria held on. Umejiaku was named Player of the Match.

Verified Nigeria beat Japan 2–1 in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat on Saturday 7 November 2026. Awawu Bashiru scored in the 39th minute, Oluebube Umejiaku in the 47th, and Fuki Ito replied for Japan in the 80th. Umejiaku was named Player of the Match.

Key points

Final score: Japan 1, Nigeria 2 — Mohammed VI Football Complex, Rabat, Saturday 7 November 2026.
Scorers: Awawu Bashiru 39' and Oluebube Umejiaku 47' for Nigeria; Fuki Ito 80' for Japan.
A first U-17 Women's World Cup title for Nigeria, and a first for any African nation.
Umejiaku was Player of the Match and won the tournament's Golden Ball.

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What happened

Nigeria had never reached this final before: their previous best was third place in 2022. This team lost its opening match to Poland, then beat Puerto Rico, DPR Korea, Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil in succession to reach Saturday's final, where Japan — champions in 2014 — were the opponents.

In the final, Bashiru's dropping shot slipped through goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki's gloves for the opener, and two minutes after half-time Esther Stephen's long pass sent Umejiaku through to lob the second. Japan pressed after Fuki Ito's 80th-minute goal but could not find an equaliser.

Match facts — all verified

✓ VerifiedNigeria beat Japan 2–1 in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat on Saturday 7 November 2026. Awawu Bashiru scored in the 39th minute, Oluebube Umejiaku in the 47th, and Fuki Ito replied for Japan in the 80th. Umejiaku was named Player of the Match.FIFA — Japan 1-2 Nigeria | Report and highlights | FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026 final (7 Nov 2026) · Sportradar — Japan vs Nigeria match record, U-17 Women's World Cup final (7 Nov 2026)
✓ VerifiedThe title is Nigeria's first at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, and Nigeria are the first African nation to win the tournament. Umejiaku also won the adidas Golden Ball as the tournament's best player; her final goal was her fourth of the tournament.FIFA — Japan 1-2 Nigeria | Report and highlights | FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026 final (7 Nov 2026) · FIFA — FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup awards: Umejiaku and DiMaria take top prizes (7 Nov 2026)
✓ VerifiedNigeria's run to the title began with a 2–1 defeat to Poland in their opening match; the Flamingos then won six matches in a row, including the 3–1 semi-final win over Brazil, to lift the trophy.The Athletic NG — Flamingos make history as Nigeria beat Japan to win first U-17 Women's World Cup title (7 Nov 2026) · Bold Sports NG — Flamingos defeat Japan 2-1 to win maiden U-17 Women's World Cup title (7 Nov 2026)

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Head coach Éric Chelle named a 24-man Nigeria squad on Saturday 7 November 2026 for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania — at home in Uyo on Friday 13 November and in Zanzibar on Tuesday 17 November. Victor Osimhen is out injured, Maduka Okoye is dropped for the returning Francis Uzoho, and Kelechi Iheanacho is also left out; captain Wilfred Ndidi leads a squad of three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and six forwards. Nigeria sit second in Group L on three points from two matches, behind Guinea-Bissau on six, and Tanzania — already qualified as 2027 co-hosts — make both games must-win. Defender Semi Ajayi is named in the squad but was forced off injured for Hull City on the same day.

VerifiedHead coach Éric Chelle named a 24-man Nigeria squad on Saturday 7 November 2026 for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and six forwards, captained by Wilfred Ndidi.
VerifiedVictor Osimhen is omitted through injury — Galatasaray confirmed successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Saturday. Maduka Okoye is dropped, with Francis Uzoho returning in his place, and Kelechi Iheanacho is also left out; no official reason was given for either drop. Samuel Chukwueze, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika and Paul Onuachu are also absent from this window's squad.
VerifiedNigeria host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday 13 November 2026, then travel to face Tanzania at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar on Tuesday 17 November. Nigeria are second in Group L with three points from two matches — a 2–1 home win over Madagascar and a 3–0 defeat in Guinea-Bissau, who lead on six points. Tanzania are already qualified as 2027 co-hosts, so only the highest-placed non-host team in the group advances, making both games must-win for Nigeria.

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Nottingham Forest 3–1 Manchester City: Delap's double gives Forest a first home win and City a third straight league defeat

Nottingham Forest beat Manchester City 3–1 at the City Ground on Saturday 7 November 2026 in the Premier League. Jair Cunha put Forest ahead in the 6th minute and Liam Delap doubled the lead in the 18th; Rayan Cherki pulled one back for City in the 52nd minute, but Delap finished in off the post in the 73rd to settle it. It is Forest's first home win — and first home goals — of the season, lifting them to 16th on nine points and out of the relegation zone. City's third straight league defeat leaves them six points behind leaders Arsenal.

VerifiedNottingham Forest beat Manchester City 3–1 at the City Ground on Saturday 7 November 2026 in the Premier League, Matchday 10, leading 2–0 at half-time.
VerifiedJair Cunha opened the scoring in the 6th minute, dispossessing Joško Gvardiol and slotting past Gianluigi Donnarumma. Liam Delap made it 2–0 in the 18th minute from Xaver Schlager's assist. Rayan Cherki replied for City in the 52nd minute with a half-volley from a deflected Jérémy Doku cross, and Delap scored his second in the 73rd minute, from Morgan Gibbs-White's assist, finishing in off the post.
VerifiedThe defeat is Manchester City's third in a row in the Premier League, after a 2–1 loss at Aston Villa and a 1–0 home loss to Brighton, and leaves them six points behind leaders Arsenal, who have 27 points from 10 games. Forest's win is their first at home this season — and their first home goals — and moves them to 16th on nine points, out of the relegation zone.

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VerifiedReal Madrid beat Valencia 3–0 at Mestalla on Saturday 7 November 2026 in La Liga, Matchday 12, leading 2–0 at half-time.
VerifiedFederico Valverde opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a half-volley from the edge of the box. Arda Güler doubled the lead in the 36th minute from Jude Bellingham's deflected cross, and Güler then set up Kylian Mbappé to round the goalkeeper and score the third in the 75th minute — Mbappé's 13th league goal of the season.
VerifiedThe win takes Real Madrid to 30 points, level with leaders Barcelona, who stay top on goal difference having played one game fewer. It is Madrid's eighth straight win in all competitions. Valencia remain second from bottom, on nine points.

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