Nigeria’s Flamingos have reached the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time after beating Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final in Morocco. Awawu Bashiru scored twice to send the young Nigerians into the title game.

The semi-final was played on Wednesday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat. The Flamingos will now face Japan in the final on Saturday.

Nigeria took the lead in the 56th minute through Queen Joseph, who was set up by Oluwakemi Adegbuyi. Bashiru doubled the advantage in the 71st minute, with the goal coming after a VAR review and Joseph providing the assist.

Bashiru completed her brace in the 80th minute, this time from a pass by Oluebube Umejiaku, to put the match beyond Brazil. Greise Kelly pulled one back for the South Americans in the 89th minute, but it was too late to change the outcome.

Japan booked their place in the final by beating North Korea 4-1 on penalties after the other semi-final ended 1-1 in regulation time.

The result is a major step up for Nigeria, whose previous best at the competition was a third-place finish in 2022, when they also reached the semi-finals.

The Flamingos earned their place in the last four by edging Venezuela 1-0 in the quarter-final on Sunday. Captain Azeezat Oduntan scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the 89th minute.

Nigeria now has one match left to win the country’s first title at the U-17 Women’s World Cup, with Japan standing in the way.