Nigeria’s U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, celebrated a significant World Cup victory, which has been described by Senate President Godswill Akpabio as a symbol of national hope. In a statement, Akpabio suggested that this triumph is a positive indicator for President Bola Tinubu in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
During a congratulatory address to the players, Akpabio emphasized the need for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and other sports stakeholders to take note of the team’s success and invest in their continued development. He urged the NFF to ensure the players’ welfare while organizing regular competitions to enhance their skills.
Akpabio expressed optimism that the players might advance to the senior national team, the Super Falcons, aiming for future FIFA Women’s World Cup participation. He reassured the Flamingos that the nation’s support for them would remain steadfast.
In his remarks linking sports to politics, he stated that the victory comes at an opportune time, coinciding with the upcoming elections, and claimed, “For the President to receive this trophy from you means that he will receive the next election next year.” He called for actionable steps from sports authorities and mentioned the importance of continuity in team development to harness the momentum from this victory.
