The Nigerian women’s under-17 football team, the Flamingos, made a historic return to Abuja after securing their first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title. The team emerged victorious with a 2-1 win against Japan in the final, held on Saturday, with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku sealing the win.
Arriving in the Federal Capital Territory on Monday morning, the team was warmly welcomed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by officials from the Nigeria Football Federation and enthusiastic fans. The Flamingos became the first African team to claim the title, marking a significant milestone in the tournament’s history.
Prior to the World Cup, the Flamingos demonstrated their prowess by winning the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup in Côte d’Ivoire, where they won all five matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding just one. Head coach Hakeem Busari commended his players’ resilience and tactical discipline throughout the tournament, highlighting their progress against strong competition.
In a statement following the match, Busari reflected on the team’s journey, noting the growth of African teams in the competition. He expressed optimism that increased investment in women’s youth football would lead to more success in future tournaments. “What we are seeing now is not a fluke. It is about development, it is about character, and it is about fighting from the beginning to really get it right,” he stated.
In addition to the coach’s remarks, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu congratulated the team for their groundbreaking victory. Upon returning from campaign engagements, he described the achievement as a proud moment for Nigeria and African women’s football. His spokesperson shared that the President applauded the Flamingos for their courage and determination, emphasizing that their success serves as an inspiration to young girls across the country.
Furthermore, Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing grassroots sports development, particularly for young girls in Nigeria, to help them realize their potential in sports.
