Nigeria’s Flamingos have won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time, defeating Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Rabat, Morocco, to become the first African nation to lift the trophy.

Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scored in either half to hand the Flamingos a historic victory at at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.

Japan’s Little Nadeshiko refused to go down without a fight and found a way back into the contest through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute. However, the Flamingos held on to complete a remarkable turnaround after losing their opening match of the tournament.

Nigeria took the initiative early in the final, although Japan proved difficult to break down in the opening stages. The deadlock was eventually broken in the 39th minute when Bashiru’s effort from outside the box found its way past goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki.

The goal was Bashiru’s third of the competition, following her brace in Nigeria’s 3-1 semi-final victory over Brazil.

The Flamingos carried their momentum into the second half, with Umejiaku extending their advantage just two minutes after the restart. The forward produced an excellent finish after being set up by Esther Stephen to give Nigeria a two-goal cushion.

Japan gradually increased the pressure as they looked to get back into the contest and found a breakthrough in the 80th minute. Fuki Ito pulled one back to set up a tense closing period, with the Japanese side searching for an equaliser.

However, Nigeria managed the final stages well, keeping Japan from finding another goal to secure the victory and their maiden world title.

The triumph represents a landmark moment for African football, as Nigeria became the first country on the continent to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. It also makes the Flamingos the first African women’s national team to claim a FIFA World Cup title.