The Flamingos’ semi final hero says the U-17 title proves Nigeria’s young women can aim for the biggest prize in world football.
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Flamingos forward Queen Joseph says winning the senior FIFA Women’s World Cup with the Super Falcons is a realistic goal, as FootballInNigeria.com.ng reports. She made the comment after Nigeria beat Japan 2-1 in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat.
Joseph wants to turn professional and eventually represent Nigeria at senior level. On winning the senior World Cup, she said “One hundred percent, it is possible”.
She believes the confidence from the U-17 title can inspire the next generation of Nigerian players to aim higher. No African nation has yet won the senior tournament. Readers curious about betting offers can read about ways to get a Bet9ja promo code.
Joseph delivered when Nigeria needed her most. She opened the scoring in the 56th minute of the 3-1 semi final win over Brazil, from an Oluwakemi Adegbuyi assist. She then set up Awawu Bashiru’s goal in the 71st minute.
The Flamingos lost their opening game 2-1 to Poland, then won six matches in a row under coach Akeem Busari. In the final, Bashiru scored first in the 39th minute and Oluebube Umejiaku added the second.
The challenge now is development. Joseph and her teammates must keep growing through club football and the Falconets and Super Falcons pathway. Fans following Nigerian women’s football can see the Bet9ja promo overview.
The players have been rewarded off the pitch. President Bola Tinubu gave each player a ₦100 million savings bond, held in trust for them, and the Senate announced a separate ₦100 million donation. Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has also warned the NFF to build a pathway for new talent behind the squad.
A dream this big deserves a clear plan. Can the NFF give Joseph and her teammates the structure they need?
Umejiaku won the Golden Ball and dedicated it to Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, so the squad’s stars are already in the public eye. New Bet9ja users can look up the YOHAIG code on Bet9ja.
For Joseph, the U-17 title is only the first step on a long road.
📌 Did You Know?
- Nigeria is now the first African nation to win the U-17 World Cup in both the men’s and women’s categories.
- The Flamingos had 30 attempts on goal in the semi-final win over Brazil.
- Nigeria beat Mexico 2-1 in the round of 16, then edged Venezuela 1-0 in the quarter-finals thanks to a late penalty from captain Azeezat Oduntan.
- Before this triumph, Nigeria’s best finish was third place in 2022, and Ghana had also won bronze in 2012.
- Nigeria became only the second nation since 2014 to recover from a losing start and reach the U-17 Women’s World Cup final.
