Flamingos beat Puerto Rico to revive U17 Women’s World Cup campaign

Nigeria’s Flamingos revived their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

Oluwakemi Adegbuyi put Nigeria ahead in the 25th minute at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco, before substitute Precious Oscar added a second in the 90th+3 minute.

The result gives Nigeria three points ahead of their final Group B game against North Korea, following their opening-match defeat by Poland.

Head coach Akeem Busari praised his players for handling the pressure and producing a more composed display than in their first match. He also acknowledged that Puerto Rico posed a significant threat and said the victory had been hard-earned.

Busari accepted that Nigeria had missed several chances but stressed that his side remained a work in progress and needed to improve as the tournament continued.

Adegbuyi makes breakthrough

Adegbuyi was named Player of the Match after scoring her first World Cup goal.

Nigeria made the early running, with Queen Joseph forcing a save from Puerto Rico goalkeeper Victoria Moore-Torres. Captain Chidi Harmony then struck the crossbar as the Flamingos searched for an opening.

The breakthrough came when Joseph capitalised on a poor clearance and supplied Adegbuyi inside the penalty area. Her first effort was blocked by two defenders, but she reacted quickest to the rebound and fired into the net.

Adegbuyi said afterwards that the match had been difficult, but she was pleased to have opened her World Cup account.

She continued to threaten after the interval, sending an effort narrowly over the crossbar from a corner as Nigeria pursued a second goal. Her overall contribution earned her the Player of the Match award.

Oscar seals victory

Oscar came off the bench to settle the contest in stoppage time, scoring her first World Cup goal and ending Puerto Rico’s hopes of salvaging a point.

The forward credited God after the match and said she had prayed before entering the pitch. She also explained that she wanted to reduce the pressure on her team-mates and had urged them to continue fighting after the disappointment of the defeat by Poland.

Puerto Rico coach Andres Mirabelli said he was disappointed with his team’s first-half display, admitting the pressure of competing at the World Cup had affected his players.

Puerto Rico came close to an equaliser in the second half when Isabella Sanabria-Cora’s shot from the edge of the penalty area was tipped over by Nigeria goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho.

Oscar’s late strike ensured Nigeria secured the points and moved on with renewed confidence. Busari’s side will now turn their attention to North Korea, knowing they must improve their finishing and continue developing if they are to maintain their hopes of progressing at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026.