By Samuel Ahmadu in Morocco

Nigeria’s Flamingos midfielder Kanyinsola Rodiat Yusuf has declared that the team’s ambition is to reach the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, urging Nigerians to continue believing in the squad ahead of their Round of 16 encounter with Mexico.

Yusuf, who was named Player of the Match after Nigeria’s impressive 3-1 victory over defending champions Korea DPR, said the Flamingos were determined to maintain their momentum as they enter the knockout stage of the competition in Morocco.

The FC Robo Queens youngster scored a superb free-kick goal in the 56th minute against the North Koreans, helping Nigeria secure one of the tournament’s most notable results and book a place in the last 16.

With Mexico now standing between Nigeria and a place in the quarter-finals, Yusuf acknowledged that the victory over the defending champions would make the Flamingos a team their upcoming opponents would take seriously.

“We must keep doing our best! I know other teams will keep coming at us now for us beating the defending champions,” Yusuf exclusively told SavidNews.

The midfielder also appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting the team, promising that the players would give their best as they pursue their World Cup ambitions.

“Nigerians should keep counting on us. We will definitely do our best to always bring maximum three points,” she added.

Despite the excitement surrounding Nigeria’s victory over Korea DPR, Yusuf stressed the importance of taking the tournament one match at a time rather than allowing the result to distract the team from its immediate assignment.

“It is one step at a time,” Yusuf said after she won the Woman of the Match award in victory over the defending champions. 

Yusuf, however, made no secret of the team’s ultimate target, expressing confidence that the Flamingos’ commitment on the training ground and their performances on the pitch could take them all the way to the final.

“Our desire is to get to the final. I know with the way we are trying our best, playing and training, we will surely get there,” she declared.

Nigeria’s victory over Korea DPR was powered by goals from Oluwakemi Adegbuyi in the 15th minute, Oluebube Umejiaku in the 38th and Yusuf in the 56th. The defending champions scored a late consolation through Yu Jong-hyang’s penalty in the 82nd minute.  

The result secured Nigeria’s qualification for the Round of 16, with the Flamingos finishing second in Group B behind Korea DPR. Their next challenge is Mexico on Thursday, October 29, with a quarter-final place at stake.