Nigeria’s Flamingos have secured a historic victory at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, becoming the first African nation to win the title. The team triumphed over Japan with a score of 2-1 in the final match held at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
The match saw Awawu Bashiru scoring the first goal in the 39th minute, followed by Oluebube Umejiaku extending the lead just two minutes after halftime. Japan’s Fuki Ito managed to pull one back in the 80th minute, but the Flamingos held on for the win, marking a significant achievement for African women’s football.
Ebi Egbe, a stadium facility expert and CEO of Monimichelle Sports Facility Limited, attributed the team’s success to their rigorous preparations on top-notch playing surfaces before the tournament. Egbe highlighted that the Flamingos trained extensively at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, a facility constructed by his company, which significantly contributed to their performance.
Egbe emphasized that consistent training on quality turf allows young athletes to enhance their technical skills and build confidence for competitive play: “The pitches that the Flamingos played on in Rabat were exactly the same they have been used to at Remo Stadium,” he noted.
The Flamingos’ journey to the championship began with a difficult start, losing 2-1 to Poland in their opening match in Group B. However, they quickly rebounded, winning six consecutive games, including notable victories over two-time champions DPR Korea and Brazil. In the knockout stage, they overcame Mexico and Venezuela to secure their place in the final.
Egbe praised the coach and players for their efforts, asserting that with proper facilities and preparation, Nigerian teams can continue to excel on international stages.
