Flamingos knock out champions DPR Korea to reach U17 World Cup last 16

Nigeria’s Flamingos produced one of the biggest shocks of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco by beating two-time defending champions DPR Korea 3-1 to reach the Round of 16.

The result lifted Nigeria to second place in Group B with six points from three matches, the same total as North Korea and Poland. North Korea finished top on goal difference after beating Puerto Rico 6-0 and Poland 6-1, while Poland progressed as one of the best third-placed teams.

Nigeria began their campaign with a 2-1 defeat by Poland in Rabat on 17 October. Wiktoria Skrzypczak scored from the penalty spot before Natalia Skrok doubled Poland’s lead, with Oluebube Umejiaku responding with a late free-kick.

The loss ended Nigeria’s unbeaten preparation run under head coach Akeem Busari, but they recovered three days later with a 2-0 victory over tournament debutants Puerto Rico. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi opened the scoring and substitute Precious Oscar added the second deep into stoppage time.

That win set up a decisive final group match against North Korea, who had scored 12 goals and conceded only one in their opening two games.

At the Mohammed VI Football Complex on 23 October, Adegbuyi put Nigeria ahead in the 15th minute after a powerful run down the left. Umejiaku made it 2-0 in the 38th minute, before Kanyinsola Yusuf’s free-kick extended the lead eight minutes into the second half.

North Korea reduced the deficit through Yu Jong-hyang’s 82nd-minute penalty, but Nigeria held on for a victory that ended their opponents’ long unbeaten run in the competition. Yusuf was named Player of the Match.

“Everybody would have written Nigeria off, looking at Korea’s record and level of play,” said Busari.

“In two games, they scored 12 goals and conceded only one, while we won one and lost the other. The team we lost to also lost 6–1 to Korea. But we took our courage and let our girls see that Poland are not a team we need to lose to.”

Busari said his players must maintain their focus in the knockout stage.

“The competition is not over. The competition has just started because going into the next round is another ball game.”

Yusuf said Nigeria’s success came from their collective effort. “We were determined that this was the result we wanted, and we got it through hard work, consistency and working as a team. We have to keep doing our best in every match, give 100 per cent, and we will always get our maximum result.”

Adegbuyi added: “I hope to score more goals. We came out to play against North Korea and we got the three points.”

Nigeria will play the runners-up from Group F in the Round of 16 in Sale on Thursday, 29 October. Spain lead the group after beating Mexico and Australia, with Mexico second and Chile and Australia both on one point after two matches.

The final Group F matches take place on 25 October. Nigeria, bronze medallists in 2022, will enter the knockout stage after showing they can recover from setbacks and defeat one of the tournament favourites.