Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, arrived in Abuja on Monday morning to a heroes’ welcome following their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The Flamingos secured their first-ever world title on Saturday after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final. Goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku sealed a memorable victory, making Nigeria the first African nation to win the global age-grade tournament.
The achievement capped an outstanding year for the team, which also dominated the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup in Côte d’Ivoire. The Flamingos won all five of their matches, scoring 17 goals while conceding only one.
Head coach Hakeem Busari praised his players for their resilience, discipline and commitment throughout the competition. He described the victory as a reflection of the growing strength of women’s football in Africa rather than a one-off success.
According to Busari, the team’s journey through a difficult group, which included the defending champions, demonstrated the progress being made in youth football development across the continent.
“What we are seeing now is not a fluke. It is about development, character and determination to get things right. We are delighted and proud of what these players have achieved,” he said.
Reflecting on the final, Busari revealed that the coaching staff carefully studied Japan’s strengths and adjusted their tactics to limit the Asian side’s ability to control possession and exploit spaces. He described the match as a tactical contest that required discipline, teamwork and effective game management.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu congratulated the Flamingos on their historic success, calling the victory a moment of national pride and a significant milestone for African women’s football.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President commended the players for their courage, determination and teamwork.
“You have shown courage, discipline and the Nigerian spirit of never giving up. You promised to bring the trophy home after your semi-final victory, and today you have fulfilled that promise,” Tinubu said.
The President noted that the achievement would inspire millions of young Nigerian girls to pursue their dreams through hard work and dedication. He also praised goal scorers Bashiru and Umejiaku, the coaching crew, the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission for their contributions to the team’s success.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to grassroots sports development and creating opportunities for young talents, especially girls, to excel.
The Flamingos’ World Cup victory marks a landmark moment in Nigerian and African football history, further cementing the team’s place among the continent’s most celebrated youth sides.
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