We Want To Make History – Japan Captain Speaks Ahead Of Flamingos Showdown

Japan’s captain, Honoka Yotsumoto, and head coach, Sadayoshi Shirai, have expressed confidence in their team’s ability to defeat Nigeria’s Flamingos in Saturday’s 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final.

The highly anticipated encounter will take place at Pitch 3 of the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco, marking the first-ever meeting between Japan and Nigeria in the competition.

Japan head into the final in impressive form, having won all six of their matches on the road to the championship decider. Their victories over Ghana and North Korea have further strengthened their confidence as they pursue their first-ever U-17 Women’s World Cup title.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Yotsumoto believes her teammates have developed the confidence and determination needed to overcome their final challenge and make history.

Speaking ahead of the match, the Japanese captain said the team had gradually overcome challenges that previously held them back, explaining that their progress had given them the belief that they could win the tournament.

“We’ve managed to overcome barriers that had held us back for so long, one step at a time – that has given us a lot of confidence. Now we have just one more match to win, and we’re determined to make history,” Yotsumoto said.

Shirai also insisted that his players were not satisfied with simply reaching the final, stressing that their ultimate objective was to lift the trophy and emerge as world champions.

The Japanese coach said his team would continue preparing thoroughly for the decisive encounter and give their best performance in pursuit of the historic achievement.

“We don’t want to stop here. We’ll continue moving forward, prepare as well as we can for the final, and give everything we have to become world champions,” Shirai stated.

Both Japan and Nigeria will be seeking their maiden titles in the competition, setting the stage for a fiercely contested final as the Flamingos aim to make history against an unbeaten Japanese side.