Japan coach reveals how Nigeria’s Flamingos won U-17 World Cup

Japan’s U-17 women’s national team coach, Sadayoshi Shirai, has admitted that Nigeria’s speed and physical strength proved decisive in his side’s 2-1 defeat in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Shirai praised the Flamingos for their performance, acknowledging that his players struggled to contain Nigeria whenever the Nigerian team broke through their defensive lines.
Nigeria secured the historic title through goals from Oluebube Umejiaku and Awawu Bashiru, while Fuki Ito scored Japan’s only goal.
Speaking after the final, Shirai said his team had recognised Nigeria’s strengths before the encounter but struggled to cope with the Flamingos’ pace and physica...