Nigeria Flamingos Defeat Defending Champions Korea DPR to Advance to Round of 16 of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, defeated defending champions Korea DPR 3–1 to secure qualification for the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Flamingos scored twice in the first half through Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Oluebube Umejiaku before Kanyinsola Yusuf extended their advantage with a superb free-kick after the break.

Adegbuyi opened the scoring in the 15th minute, finishing a move created by Mary Dunstan, who provided the assist. Nigeria doubled their lead in the 38th minute when Umejiaku found the net following Tosin Rafiu’s assist.

Nigeria maintained their two-goal advantage at half-time and moved further ahead in the 56th minute. Yusuf produced a fine free-kick to make it 3–0, putting the Flamingos in a strong position against the defending champions.

Korea DPR reduced the deficit in the 82nd minute through Yu Jong Hyang, who converted from the penalty spot after a penalty was awarded following video review.

Nigeria thought they had restored their three-goal cushion late in the match when Adegbuyi found the net, but the goal was disallowed after a video review, with the referee ruling that there had been a foul in the build-up.

The Flamingos held on to win 3–1 at the final whistle.

Nigeria finish second in Group B

The result left Nigeria, Korea DPR and Poland level on six points in Group B. Poland also defeated Puerto Rico 6–2 in the other group match.

With three teams tied on points, the final standings were determined using FIFA’s tie-breaking criteria, beginning with results among the tied teams and then the relevant goal difference and goals-scored criteria. Nigeria finished second in the group and advanced to the knockout stage.

The Flamingos will face the team that finishes second in Group F in the Round of 16.

Yusuf, Adegbuyi, Oduntun and Busari React to Flamingos’ Victory

Player of the Match Rodiat Kanyinsola Yusuf expressed her excitement after Nigeria’s 3–1 victory over defending champions Korea DPR, describing the result as a product of hard work, consistency and teamwork.

“We were determined that this was the result we wanted, and we got it through hard work, consistency and working as a team,” Yusuf said.

The midfielder, who scored her first goal of the match with a superb free-kick, added that the Flamingos must maintain their focus as they progress to the knockout stage.

“We have to keep doing our best in every match, give 100 per cent and always get the maximum result,” she said.

Goalscorer Oluwakemi Adegbuyi also expressed gratitude after finding the net, attributing her performance to God. Explaining how she scored, she said: “I think I was faster to the ball. That helped me score because I was quicker.”

Adegbuyi added that the team’s objective was to secure all three points and expressed her determination to score more goals in the tournament.

Captain for the match, Azeezat Oduntun, praised the team’s collective effort but urged her teammates to remain consistent.

“I’m super proud of them because we all came out to play as a team,” Oduntun said. “My message is consistency. We should keep going and keep fighting.”

Head coach Akeem Busari described the defeat to Poland in Nigeria’s opening group match as a setback but said the team had to refocus and respond.

“The Poland result was a shock to us, but we had to let it go and refocus,” Busari said.

He emphasised the importance of perseverance, self-belief and discipline, while acknowledging areas the team needed to improve, including concentration and marking.

The Flamingos’ victory over Korea DPR secured their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.