Nigeria Flamingos defeat defending champions North Korea to reach U‑17 Women’s World Cup last‑16

Nigeria’s under‑17 women’s side, known as the Flamingos, delivered a decisive 3‑1 victory over two‑time defending champions North Korea in their final Group B fixture on 23 October 2026. The match, played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, Morocco, saw the Nigerians secure the three points needed to progress to the round of 16 of the FIFA U‑17 Women’s World Cup.

Coach Akeem Busari’s squad opened the scoring early through forward Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, who found the net in the 15th minute. A second goal arrived before half‑time when Oluebube Umejiaku converted a pass from Tosin Rafiu, giving Nigeria a comfortable 2‑0 lead at the break. Early in the second half, Kanyinsola Yusuf added a superb free‑kick to make it 3‑0, before North Korea reduced the deficit via a penalty by Yu Jong Hyang in the 82nd minute. Despite the late goal, the Flamingos held on to claim the win.

The result capped a turnaround for Nigeria after an opening‑match loss to Poland. The team had previously rebounded with a 2‑0 win over Puerto Rico, and the victory over North Korea ensured they finished the group stage on six points, level with Poland and the Korean side. North Korea topped the group on goal difference, while Nigeria secured second place and a spot in the knockout phase.

Background

The 2026 FIFA U‑17 Women’s World Cup is being hosted by Morocco, with Group B comprising Nigeria, North Korea, Poland and Puerto Rico. Nigeria began the tournament with a 2‑1 defeat to Poland, prompting a tactical reshuffle by Busari. The subsequent 2‑0 triumph over Puerto Rico restored confidence, setting up a decisive clash against the defending champions. North Korea entered the match as the two‑time title holders, having dominated the opening exchanges before Nigeria’s early goal shifted momentum. The Flamingos’ performance reflected the growing investment in women’s youth football in Nigeria, highlighted by the consistent goal‑scoring form of Adegbuyi and the emerging contributions of Umejiaku and Yusuf.

Why it matters

Advancing to the round of 16 keeps Nigeria’s hopes alive of winning their first FIFA U‑17 Women’s World Cup title, a milestone that would boost the profile of women’s football domestically. The victory also provides a morale lift for a squad that overcame an early setback, demonstrating resilience under Busari’s guidance. For North Korea, the loss ends their defence of the crown but still sees them finish top of the group, underscoring the competitive balance within the tournament. The outcome influences the tournament’s knockout draw, as Nigeria will now face an opponent from another group, with the result potentially shaping the path to the final.

What happens next

Following the group‑stage success, Nigeria’s Flamingos will prepare for their round‑of‑16 match, scheduled later in the tournament. While the specific opponent and date have not been detailed in the available reports, the team’s next challenge will be to maintain the attacking intensity displayed against North Korea. Coach Busari is expected to fine‑tune tactics ahead of the knockout round, aiming to capitalize on the confidence gained from the 3‑1 win and to pursue a historic tournament victory.