Nigeria’s Flamingos stunned defending champions North Korea 3-1, in their final Group B fixture of the 2026 FIFA U-17 women’s World Cup on Friday in Morocco, completesports.com reports.
First half double from Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, Oluebube Umejiaku and a second half strike by Kanyinsola Yusuf saw the Flamingos race to a 3-0 lead before Jong Hyang Yu got a consolation goal for North Korea.
The win means the Flamingos finish second in the group and automatically qualify for the round of 16.
Despite the defeat North Korea topped the group after winning their opening two games against debutant Puerto Rico (6-0) and Poland (6-1).
In the group’s other tie, which was played simultaneously, Poland hammered Puerto Rico 6-2 to finish in third place.
The Flamingos needed a positive result against North Korea after losing one (2-1 defeat to Poland) and winning won (2-0 victory against Puerto Rico) of their opening two matches.
After a bright start, the Flamingos took the lead in the 15th minute through Adegbuyi. The forward ran on to a floated pass from the left wing, cut inside the box and slotted past the goalkeeper.
Also Read: 2026 U-17 WWC: How We Overcame Puerto Rico — Flamingos Head Coach Busari
In the 38th minute the Flamingos went 2-0 ahead thanks to Umejiaku, who was played through on goal before firing past the keeper who had rushed off her line.
The Flamingos continued to go in search of more goals and were rewarded in the 56th minute following a brilliant free kick by Yusuf.
But with eight minutes left the North Koreans pulled a goal back thanks to Yu after consultation with the Video Assistant Referee.
MATCH STATISTICS
Nigeria 3 – 1 North Korea
GOAL SCORERS
NIGERIA
Oluwakemi Adegbuyi (15 min), Oluebube Umejiaku (38 min), Kanyisola Yusuf (56 min)
NORTH KOREA
Jong Hyang Yu (82 min)
NIGERIA LINEUP
1. Jane Ijirigho
2. Azeezat Oduntan
3. Ohunene Sunday
4. Esther Stephen
5. Kanyinsola Yusuf
6. Mary Dunstan
7. Favour Nkwocha
8. Tosin Rafiu
9. Queen Joseph
10. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi
11. Oluebube Umejiaku
SUBSTITUTES
Awawu BASHIRU (Mary Dunstan, 65)
Precious Oscar (Queen Joseph, 84 min)
HEAD COACH: Akeem Busari
NORTH KOREA LINEUP
1. Son Gyong Kim
2. Kyong Ryong Pak
3. Pok Rim Ri
4. Chong Gum EH
5. Ui Gyong Ri
6. Kyong Im Ri
7. Ye Rim Ri
8. Ju Gyong Kim
9. Jong Hyang Yu
10. Won Yong Song
11. Won Sim Kim
SUBSTITUTES
Sol Gyong (Ui Gyong Ri, 52 min)
Ye Rim So (Ye Rim Ri, 67 min)
Yu Song Ri (Ju Gyong Kim, 87 min)
HEAD COACH: Yun Nam Ji
By James Agberebi
