Nigeria’s Flamingos made history on Saturday by beating former winners Japan 2-1 in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final in Morocco. The result delivered the competition’s first title to an African country, with the tournament also being held in Africa for the first time.
The landmark success prompted praise from sports officials, who pointed to the squad’s performance and recent changes within Nigerian sport.
Quick facts
- Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final.
- The Flamingos became the first African side to lift the title.
- Morocco hosted the tournament, marking the event’s first staging on African soil.
- Five different Nigerian players won Player of the Match awards across five games.
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service and president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, issued a personally signed congratulatory message to the team.
He described the victory as a source of pride for both Nigeria and Africa, saying it had encouraged millions of young Nigerians to aim higher.
“I want to congratulate the Flamingos for this historic success that has given millions of young Nigerians a reason to dream bigger,” Adeniyi said. “Their remarkable feat has placed Nigeria and Africa on the global football map and demonstrated the immense potential of our young female athletes.”
Adeniyi said the title run was built on unity, commitment and collective effort. He highlighted the fact that five separate players collected Man of the Match honours during the team’s five fixtures.
“Having five different players do so shows the depth of the team and how bright the future is,” he said.
He also praised the coaching and technical staff for their work, sacrifice and guidance of the players. Adeniyi commended the National Sports Commission for supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in sport.
He added that the result underlined the need for continued funding of youth programmes and grassroots sport.
Former Nigeria Football Federation First Vice-President and former Lagos State FA chairman Akinwunmi said the achievement was driven by intentional planning rather than chance.
“This victory did not happen by chance,” he said. “President Tinubu gave sports a clear mandate. Sports is no longer just leisure. It is a national asset.”
Akinwunmi praised the National Sports Commission leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade, saying their work had brought structure, accountability and long-range planning to grassroots football.
He said the Flamingos had been supported through organised training camps, warm-up games, sports science services and the timely payment of players’ allowances.
“When you treat athletes with dignity, they will give their all on the pitch for Nigeria,” he said.
Akinwunmi called the World Cup win the realisation of a project he has championed for more than 10 years. He cited the “Let The Children Play” programme, the NFF/Zenith U-15 Women’s Competition, recruitment of girls from the age of 13 and the Youth Development Policy he drafted while chairing the NFF Youth Development Committee.
He said that policy was designed to guide players through the U-13, U-15, U-17 and U-20 levels, without prioritising immediate results above long-term development.
“This is not just a trophy. This is history,” he said. “This is Africa’s first. This is Nigeria showing the world that our girls can be the best in the world.”
Akinwunmi said the success reflected his “Football First” plan, centred on grassroots and youth development. “Focus on grassroots football, focus on youth development… Trophies will follow. Today, the trophy has followed,” he said.
