Nigeria's under-17 women's team, the Flamingos, are world champions after beating Japan 2-1 in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, 7 November 2026.

The match

Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead in the 39th minute at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, and Oluebube Umejiaku doubled the advantage two minutes after half-time, in the 47th minute. Japan pulled a goal back through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, but the Flamingos held on to claim the trophy.

History made

The victory makes Nigeria the first African country to win the competition, and gives the country its first FIFA world title in women's football at any level. Before this tournament, the Flamingos' best finish was third place in 2022. They reached the final by beating Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final, a match in which Bashiru also scored twice, while Japan beat North Korea on penalties in their semi-final.

Background

Japan came into the final as one of the strongest teams in youth women's football, having won the tournament in 2014 and finished as runners-up in 2010 and 2016. CAF president Patrice Motsepe had travelled to Rabat to watch the final after praising the Flamingos for making Africa proud. Before the match, captain Harmony Chidi said the team was determined to bring the trophy home.

What happens next

The win comes as the senior Super Eagles prepare for their AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania next week.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is set to undergo knee surgery, ruling him out of Nigeria's upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania.

What happened

Galatasaray announced on Friday, 6 November 2026, that the 27-year-old needs arthroscopic surgery after medical checks found a loose body in his left knee. The problem was discovered after he played the full 90 minutes of the Turkish club's 2-0 Champions League win over VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday. The club said its doctor, Yener İnce, would carry out the operation at Maslak Acıbadem Hospital in Istanbul on Saturday, 7 November.

How long he could be out

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses small cuts and a camera to treat problems inside a joint. According to reports, Osimhen is expected to be out for two to four weeks, which could mean a return in early to mid-December if there are no setbacks. Galatasaray have not given an official timeline and say they will assess his recovery in stages.

Blow for the Super Eagles

The injury is a major blow for Nigeria, who face Tanzania twice in AFCON qualifying, including the match in Uyo on 13 November. Osimhen is the Super Eagles' main striker and one of Africa's most prolific forwards and was African Player of the Year in 2023. He was recently left off the shortlist for this year's CAF Player of the Year award.

Squad named

On Saturday, Galatasaray said the operation had been successful and that Osimhen would be out for at least three weeks. Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle then named a 24-man squad for the two Tanzania matches without Osimhen. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was also left out by the coach's choice, with Stanley Nwabali, Arthur Okonkwo and the recalled Francis Uzoho named in goal. Midfielder Frank Onyeka was dropped, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Tochukwu Nnadi and Yusuf Alhassan return. Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey are among those included.

Background

Osimhen joined Galatasaray from Napoli and has been in strong form, with reports this week suggesting that a top Italian club is interested in signing him. His absence means the Super Eagles coaching staff will have to rely on other forwards for the Tanzania double-header.

Nigeria's under-17 women's team, the Flamingos, will face Japan in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, 7 November 2026.

The match

The final is at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, with kick-off set for 7.30pm Nigerian time. It will be the first time the two countries have met at this tournament. Flamingos captain Harmony Chidi said the players are determined to bring Nigeria its first world title at this level and make the country proud.

Road to the final

The Flamingos became the first African team ever to reach the final of the competition after beating Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final on Wednesday. After a goalless first half, Queen Joseph opened the scoring in the 56th minute, and Awawu Bashiru scored twice, in the 71st and 80th minutes, before Brazil pulled one back late on. Nigeria's previous best was third place in 2022, when they beat Germany in the bronze medal match. Ghana also finished third in 2012.

Japan's record

Japan are one of the strongest teams in youth women's football. They won the tournament in 2014, beating Spain in the final, and were runners-up in 2010 and 2016. At under-20 level, Japan beat Nigeria 2-1 in the bronze medal match of the 2012 U-20 Women's World Cup and won 6-0 when the two met in the group stage in 2016.

Praise from CAF and FIFA

CAF president Patrice Motsepe congratulated the Flamingos, saying they had made Africa proud, and confirmed he would travel to Rabat to watch the final in person. FIFA also congratulated the team on the historic achievement.

What's at stake

Victory would give Nigeria its first FIFA world title in women's football at any level and make the Flamingos the first African side to win the competition.

Twelve members of one family have reportedly been killed in an attack by bandits on a village in Zamfara State.

What happened

The attack took place late on Saturday, 7 November 2026, in Gidan Taba village, Dosara Birnin Kaya ward, in Maradun Local Government Area, according to residents. A resident said the head of the family had gathered his relatives into a single room to try to stop them from being kidnapped. When the attackers found the family and they refused to come out, the bandits reportedly set the building on fire, and all 12 people inside died. An unknown number of other residents were reportedly abducted during the raid. The victims were buried according to Islamic rites on Sunday morning.

Official response

The police and the Zamfara State Government had not publicly commented on the attack at the time of writing.

Background

Zamfara is one of the states worst affected by banditry in Nigeria's North-West, with armed groups carrying out killings, mass kidnappings and attacks on farming communities. Last week, bandits ambushed a bus carrying police officers on the Sokoto–Gusau road, reportedly killing and abducting some of them. Security forces have carried out repeated operations in the state's forests, but attacks on villages continue.