Flamingos Return to Abuja After Historic U-17 World Cup Triumph as Tinubu, Coach Celebrate Team

Nigeria's victorious U-17 women's national team, the Flamingos, have arrived in Abuja following their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, where they defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday's final.

The team landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the early hours of Monday and were received by officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and enthusiastic supporters.

Goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku secured Nigeria's maiden title in the competition, making the Flamingos the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

The victory represents a major milestone for Nigerian football and further highlights the growing competitiveness of African women's football at the youth level.

Before heading to Morocco for the global tournament, the Flamingos had demonstrated their strength by winning the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup in Côte d'Ivoire, recording five victories in five matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding just once.

Coach Busari: Victory Was No Fluke

Head coach Hakeem Busari has described the Flamingos' historic achievement as the product of years of development, determination and tactical discipline rather than luck.

Speaking after the final, Busari praised his players for their resilience and ability to overcome strong opposition throughout the competition.

He noted that the team's campaign, particularly against difficult opponents, reflected the growing quality and competitiveness of African women's youth football.

"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. So we are elated and happy," he said.

Busari also highlighted the tactical adjustments made by his technical crew ahead of the final against Japan.

According to him, the coaching staff identified Japan's ability to win second balls and exploit spaces behind defensive lines, prompting them to adjust their approach to limit the opposition's attacking opportunities.

He explained that the Flamingos initially focused on securing an early goal before adopting a more cautious approach after taking the lead. However, Japan eventually restored parity through a set-piece situation.

The coach described the encounter as a demanding tactical contest that required collective defending, discipline and effective game management.

He further expressed optimism that the Flamingos' achievement would inspire more African teams to progress further in future editions of the competition.

Tinubu Congratulates Flamingos on Historic Achievement

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Flamingos for becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Nigeria's maiden triumph as a historic moment for the country and a significant achievement for African women's football.

Tinubu expressed delight over the team's performance, praising the young players for their courage, discipline, determination and commitment to representing Nigeria.

He said he had followed their journey throughout the tournament and recalled their promise to bring the trophy home after securing victory in the semi-final.

According to the President, the team had fulfilled that promise through their determination, teamwork and belief in their abilities.

He also described the victory as an inspiration to millions of young Nigerian girls, demonstrating that hard work, determination and access to opportunities could help them achieve greatness.

The President specifically commended goalscorers Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku for their contributions to the final victory, while applauding the entire squad for their collective effort throughout the tournament.

Tinubu also extended his congratulations to the coaching crew, the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission for their roles in the team's success.

He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to strengthening grassroots sports development and creating more opportunities for young Nigerians, particularly girls, to discover and develop their sporting talents.

The Flamingos' historic victory marks a new chapter in Nigerian and African women's football, offering renewed hope for the future of the game across the continent.