Nigeria midfielder Awawu Bashiru has expressed her excitement and gratitude after the Flamingos made history by winning their maiden FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title, stating that the team’s togetherness and discipline were key to their success.
Bashiru made the remarks in an interview with FIFA after Nigeria secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Japan in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco, becoming the first African nation to win the competition.
“I’m so happy, I’m so excited and I’m so grateful,” she said. “The teamwork, instruction and listening to our coaches is why we got the goals and why we won the final. We are history-makers. We made Nigeria, and the millions of people there, proud.”
The midfielder expressed confidence that the Flamingos would build on their historic achievement, promising that Nigeria would return with the same determination at the next edition of the tournament.
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“We can expect more from Nigeria,” Bashiru added. “We are winning and we’ll bring the same energy, the same zing, at the next U-17 Women’s World Cup.”
Bashiru’s contribution to Nigeria’s triumph was particularly remarkable considering her limited involvement at the start of the tournament.
The youngster initially struggled to secure a place in head coach Akeem Busari’s starting line-up, making substitute appearances in all three of Nigeria’s group-stage matches and the round of 16 encounter against Mexico.
She accumulated just 77 minutes of playing time before the quarter-final against Venezuela but made the most of her opportunity when handed her first start against Brazil.
Bashiru scored twice in the semi-final clash to help Nigeria progress before continuing her impressive run by opening the scoring in the final against Japan.
Bashiru’s audacious effort from outside the box in the 39th minute gave the Flamingos the lead before Oluebube Umejiaku doubled their advantage shortly after the restart.
Although Japan pulled one back through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, Nigeria held on to secure a historic 2-1 victory and lift the trophy.
Bashiru’s impressive emergence as one of Nigeria’s key performers during the knockout stages perfectly summed up the team’s collective effort, as the Flamingos became the first team to lose their opener before lifting the title.
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