The number of Player of the Match awards wey Flamingos win during the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup show how Nigeria take build dis historic success through teamwork, individual brilliance and one memorable 2-1 victory over Japan for the final.
One big statistic wey show how strong the team be na six Player of the Match awards shared among five Nigerian players during the campaign, na weytin Hitvibz dey yan be dat.
Flamingos Player of the Match Awards: See di full list
Oluwakemi Adegbuyi na the first player wey collect the recognition after Nigeria beat Puerto Rico 2-0. Kanyinsola Yusuf follow am collect the award after Flamingos defeat defending champions DPR Korea 3-1.
Oluebube Umejiaku collect her own after Nigeria beat Mexico for Round of 16, while Favour Nkwocha receive the honour after the Flamingos record 1-0 win against Venezuela for quarter-final.
Awawu Bashiru become the next player to collect the award after her outstanding performance for the 3-1 semi-final victory against Brazil. Umejiaku then collect her second Player of the Match award for the final against Japan.
This spread of individual awards show say different players always get wetin e take to become match-winners at different stages of the competition. The team no depend on just one or two players to carry everybody.
Umejiaku add Golden Ball as Flamingos Player of the Match Awards show how Nigeria take dominate
Even though plenty Flamingos players play important roles for Nigeria journey, Umejiaku stand out as one of the biggest stars of the tournament.
The young midfielder finish the competition with four goals and two assists in seven matches, a performance wey earn am the adidas Golden Ball as the best player of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Her impact show clearly for the final against Japan. After Bashiru give Nigeria the lead for 39th minute, Umejiaku double the advantage just two minutes after second half start.
Esther Stephen send one long pass from her own half, and Umejiaku control the ball well before she chip am over the Japanese goalkeeper to make am 2-0.
Japan manage score through Fuki Ito for 79th minute, but the Flamingos hold their ground and finish the match with a historic 2-1 victory.
As she speak with FIFA after the final, Umejiaku no hide her joy over the achievement. She also give credit to the coaches for the way dem motivate the players and help dem stay focused during the difficult match.
“I feel good, I feel very happy. I thank God for everything. It was very difficult for us, but the instructions of the coaches made us put our heads up and just take everything as it comes,” she talk.
“We didn’t have to push for the goals, just to keep ourselves up and we needed to encourage ourselves on the field of play.”
Busari Call Am Dream Come True as Nigeria Make History
For head coach Akeem Busari, the victory na dream wey finally become reality after he lead the Flamingos through one tough tournament to become world champions.
Nigeria 2-1 victory against Japan make the Flamingos the first African team ever to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The achievement also put Nigeria for one special group. Na only the second country, after France, wey don win both the men’s and women’s FIFA U-17 World Cups.
As Busari react after the final for Morocco, e praise the players for their fighting spirit and remember the message wey e give dem before the big match.
“We came together to fight this battle like gladiators. I told the players that if we give everything, we would smile at the end. Today we are smiling because effort brings fruitful success,” he tell FIFA.
Full List of 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Award Winners
Nigeria success also show for the individual awards wey dem present after the tournament, with Umejiaku carrying home the biggest individual prize.
adidas Golden Ball (Best Player): Oluebube Umejiaku (Nigeria)
adidas Silver Ball: Yu Jong-hyang (DPR Korea)
adidas Bronze Ball: Fuki Ito (Japan)
adidas Golden Boot (Top Scorer): Maddie DiMaria (USA) – 12 goals
adidas Silver Boot: Yu Jong-hyang (DPR Korea)
adidas Bronze Boot: Ri Ui-gyong (DPR Korea)
adidas Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Kim Son-gyong (DPR Korea)
FIFA Fair Play Trophy: Japan
From the players wey collect individual awards to the coaches wey guide the team, everybody get role to play for this historic achievement.
Six Player of the Match awards, five different Nigerian players and one Golden Ball winner na the perfect summary of how special this campaign be.
The Flamingos no just carry the trophy come house; dem show the whole world say Nigeria don reach the top of women’s U-17 football.
Last Updated on November 8, 2026 9:04 am by Hitvibz Media
Six Player of the Match Awards: How Flamingos Use Teamwork Take Win U-17 Women’s World Cup Glory
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