The Flamingos captain says reaching the final is a dream come true as Nigeria meet Japan for the first time at the U-17 Women’s World Cup, with kick-off at 7:30pm Nigerian time.
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Flamingos captain Harmony Chidi has promised that Nigeria will give everything to make the country proud in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The team face Japan in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, November 7, with kick-off at 7:30pm Nigerian time.
It will be the first meeting between Nigeria and Japan at this level of the competition. The Flamingos are chasing a first title, while Japan are aiming for their second, having won the tournament in 2014.
Chidi spoke to FIFA ahead of the match and described what the occasion means to her. She said the final is the kind of day the players have dreamed about, and that a win would make everybody proud.
“Reaching the final is a very big thing, it’s a great thing.”
She added that lifting the trophy would be something that nobody involved, from the players and coaches to the whole country, would ever forget.
Chidi is a forward who has been important to the team from the start. She scored a hat-trick inside the first 39 minutes of the 5-0 win over Guinea in the first leg of the qualifiers in Abidjan in May. In the knockout rounds in Morocco, Azeezat Oduntan has worn the armband in her place, scoring the penalty that beat Venezuela, after Chidi was left out of the starting line-up for some matches. Readers who follow Nigeria’s young stars can check the YOHAIG Bet9ja final-day offer before kick-off.
The Road To Rabat
The Flamingos lost their opening group game 2-1 to Poland, then won five matches in a row. They beat Puerto Rico 2-0, defending champions Korea DPR 3-1, Mexico 2-1, Venezuela 1-0 and Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final.
The Brazil win made Nigeria the first African team to reach the final since the tournament began in 2008. This is only Nigeria’s ninth appearance at the competition, and their previous best finish was third place in 2022.
Fans who like to learn how offers work can look at the Bet9ja promotion for Flamingos supporters while they wait for the game.
Japan reached the final by beating defending champions Korea DPR in the other semi final, which went to a penalty shootout. Their captain is Honoka Yotsumoto, and the Little Nadeshiko will arrive with plenty of experience.
A Chance To Make History
A win would carry extra meaning for Nigerian football. According to The Sun, it would make Nigeria the first African country to win the World Cup in both the men’s and women’s U-17 categories, as the Golden Eaglets have already won the boys’ tournament.
For coach Akeem Busari, the job now is to keep his young players calm in front of a worldwide audience. The squad has shown plenty of character already, especially after the loss to Poland, and it will need that again.
Japan will be a tough opponent, but the Flamingos have beaten two strong sides on the way to the final. Their belief and unity could make the difference over 90 minutes.
The whole country will be watching tonight, and Chidi’s message is clear. Anyone new to betting can read about the Bet9ja sign up bonus explained guide before the final.
📌 Did You Know?
- Japan’s captain in the final is Honoka Yotsumoto.
- This is the first meeting between Nigeria and Japan at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
- Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets have won the men’s U-17 World Cup several times, so a Flamingos win would complete a rare double for an African country.
- Chidi scored a hat-trick in the first 39 minutes of the Flamingos’ 5-0 win over Guinea in a qualifier on May 23, 2026.
- Nigeria are appearing at the tournament for the ninth time.
