EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria Remains Lone African Team In Race For 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Medal 

From Harry Awurumibe, Live in Morocco

The Flamingos’ 1-0 defeat of Venezuela has ensured that Nigeria remains the only surviving African representatives still with a fighting chance of winning a medal of any colour as the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco enters the final four teams following the conclusion of the quarter-final matches on Sunday, November 1, Prompt News reports.

In the four quarter-final matches played on Sunday at Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, Rabat on Sunday, November 1, 2026, one of the two African countries that reached the quarter-finals of this year’s global junior women’s football tournament, Ghana crashed out after a 0-1 loss to Japan courtesy of Nanami Kurita’s 54′ goal.

Elsewhere, defending champions North Korea thrashed United States of America (USA) 3-0 with goals scored by Ri Ui Gyong (30′, 56′), Ri Ye Rim (45+4′); China Peoples Republic fell 1- 2 to the Samba Girls in Brazil’s comeback win just as Nigeria beat 1- 0 Venezuela with stand-in captain Azeezat Oduntan’s 89′ penalty.

With the elimination of Ghana by Japan at the quarter-finals stage on Sunday, Nigeria, the conqueror of Venezuela remains the “Last Woman Standing” in the competition which no fewer than five African countries entered namely hosts Morocco, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana and Nigeria.

While Zambia crashed out of the tournament in the group stage, four others made it to the Round of 16. They are Morocco representing North Africa; East Africa nation Kenya and two West African sisters Ghana and Nigeria respectively.

However, two nations- Morocco and Kenya ended their journey in the Round of 16 while two West African Football Union WAFU B  countries Ghana and Nigeria qualified for the quarter-finals stage.

Unfortunately, four African countries have had their participation ended while Nigeria’s Flamingos are marching forward and has now qualified for the semi-final stage where three of the four qualifiers are guaranteed either gold, silver or bronze when the competition comes  to a close on November 7, 2026.