Esther Stephen, a 16-year-old student at Lagos State University (LASU), played a pivotal role in securing Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title. According to Punch, the defender provided the long pass that set up Oluebube Umejiaku’s winning goal in the 47th minute of the final against Japan. The match, held in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, November 7, 2026, ended in a 2-1 victory for the Nigerian side, known as the Flamingos. Awawu Bashiru had opened the scoring in the 39th minute, but it was Stephen’s contribution that proved decisive in sealing the historic campaign.
Stephen, who is pursuing a Diploma in Human Kinetics, Sports and Health Education, featured in all seven matches played by the Flamingos during the tournament. While she operates as a right full-back for the national team, she serves as the captain of her club side, Unification Female Team, where she plays as a central defender. Her performance has drawn significant acclaim from the Lagos State University community. Vice-Chancellor Prof Ayodeji Badejo congratulated Stephen and the squad, describing her discipline and versatility as a source of pride for the institution and the nation.
In a statement reported by Punch, Badejo noted that Stephen’s success reflected the university’s commitment to nurturing talents who excel beyond the classroom. He commended the coaches and lecturers who contributed to her development and assured that the administration would continue to support promising students. Stephen’s international success follows her previous triumph with the LASU female football team, which won gold at the 2024 All Africa University Games. That victory qualified the team to represent Africa at the 2025 World University Games in China.
Following the victory, the Flamingos players emphasized that their journey was far from over. Captain Chidi Harmony told the News Agency of Nigeria that the team must focus on correcting mistakes and improving individual performances. "We cannot look at this success and say we have arrived," Harmony stated, adding that the win was merely a starting point. Golden Ball winner Oluebube Umejiaku echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude for the achievement while looking forward to greater successes. Forward Kemi Adegbuyi called for increased investment in the Nigerian women’s league to help undiscovered talents showcase their abilities. The national recognition for the team includes a N100m reward announced by President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate.