NGA 2-1 JPN: Reactions As Oluebube Umejiaku Wins The Golden Ball Award After An Excellent Tournament

According to a post on the Women’s World Cup official X account late on Saturday, 7th November, 2026, Nigeria’s Flamingos are world champions after beating Japan 2-1 in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The victory in Rabat made them the first African team to win the competition. On the same night, forward Oluebube Umejiaku collected the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

Umejiaku finished the competition with four goals and two assists. She contributed to a goal in every one of Nigeria’s seven matches. She scored against Poland, DPR Korea and Mexico, provided key assists, won a penalty in the quarter-final against Venezuela, and then netted the decisive second goal in the final just two minutes into the second half. That strike made the score 2-0 and proved to be the winning goal after Japan pulled one back late.

The award has been widely welcomed across Nigeria. Fans and observers have pointed to her consistency from the opening games right through to the final. She started most matches, stayed dangerous in attack, and delivered when the pressure was highest. Her performance in the final, where she also earned Player of the Match, sealed the individual honour.

The Golden Ball recognition adds another layer to an already historic campaign. Nigeria recovered from an early group-stage defeat and kept improving. Umejiaku was central to that progress. Her movement stretched defences, her finishing was clinical, and her work rate never dropped. Supporters have highlighted how she combined individual quality with team contribution throughout the tournament.

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