Flamingos Stun Champions, Soar into U17 World Cup Last 16

Nigeria’s Flamingos delivered one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, stunning two-time defending champions DPR Korea 3-1 in their final Group B match to secure a place in the Round of 16.

The African side finished second in a tightly contested group with six points from three matches, matching the totals of both North Korea and Poland.

Goal difference separated them: North Korea topped the group after earlier thrashings of Puerto Rico (6-0) and Poland (6-1), while Nigeria advanced as runners-up and Poland progressed as one of the best third-placed teams.

Group Stage Journey: Resilience Defines the Flamingos

Nigeria’s campaign began with a setback. On 17 October in Rabat, Poland edged them 2-1. Wiktoria Skrzypczak converted a first-half penalty and Natalia Skrok added a second before Oluebube Umejiaku pulled one back with a late free-kick. The defeat was a shock for a side that had been unbeaten in preparation under coach Akeem Busari.

The Flamingos responded emphatically three days later, beating tournament debutants Puerto Rico 2-0. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi opened the scoring and substitute Precious Oscar sealed the points deep in stoppage time. The result revived qualification hopes and set up a decisive finale against the high-flying Koreans.

On 23 October at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, Nigeria produced a performance for the ages. Adegbuyi struck in the 15th minute after a strong run down the left. Umejiaku doubled the lead in the 38th minute, and Kanyinsola Yusuf’s exquisite free-kick made it 3-0 in the 56th minute.

North Korea pulled one back from the penalty spot through Yu Jong-hyang in the 82nd minute, but the Flamingos held firm. Yusuf was named Player of the Match.

The victory ended North Korea’s long unbeaten run in the competition and completed a remarkable turnaround for Nigeria.

Coach and Players React

Head coach Akeem Busari praised his players’ courage and mentality. “Everybody would have written Nigeria off, looking at Korea’s record and level of play.

In two games, they scored 12 goals and conceded only one, while we won one and lost the other. The team we lost to also lost 6–1 to Korea. But we took our courage and let our girls see that Poland are not a team we need to lose to,” he said after the match.

Busari also warned against complacency: “The competition is not over. The competition has just started because going into the next round is another ball game.”

Player of the Match Kanyinsola Yusuf echoed the collective spirit. “We were determined that this was the result we wanted, and we got it through hard work, consistency and working as a team. We have to keep doing our best in every match, give 100 per cent, and we will always get our maximum result,” she said.

Goalscorer Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, who has been in fine form, simply stated: “I hope to score more goals. We came out to play against North Korea and we got the three points.”

Next Up: Round of 16 Preview

Nigeria will face the runners-up from Group F in the Round of 16 on Thursday, 29 October, in Salé. At the time of writing, Group F remains open.

Spain sit top after wins over Mexico and Australia. Mexico currently occupy second place, while Chile and Australia (both on one point after two games) still have a chance depending on the final round of matches on 25 October.

Whoever emerges, the Flamingos will enter the knockout stage with momentum, defensive resilience, and attacking threat.

As 2022 bronze medallists, they carry genuine hopes of a deep run. Busari’s side have already shown they can bounce back from adversity and topple favourites. The knockout stage begins now, and Nigeria’s young Flamingos are flying high.