The Chairman of the Association of State Football Secretaries, Mr Diseye Nwankwe, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s National Team, the Flamingos, on their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The Flamingos made history on Saturday, November 7, 2026, following their impressive 2–1 victory over Japan in the final to become the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Nwankwe, who also serves as the Secretary of the Bayelsa State Football Association, described the achievement as a landmark moment for Nigerian football, particularly in the advancement of women’s and grassroots football across the country.
He noted that the triumph underscored the enormous potential of young female footballers in Nigeria and the importance of investing in grassroots development, stressing that the achievement should serve as a wake-up call for stakeholders to intensify efforts towards the growth of women’s football.
According to him, the time has come for Nigeria to look inward and deliberately invest in the discovery, nurturing and development of young female talents, noting that the Flamingos’ historic achievement has demonstrated what can be accomplished when grassroots football receives the necessary attention and support.
“This historic achievement is a reflection of the progress and enormous potential of women’s football in Nigeria, particularly at the grassroots. It is a clear indication that we have abundant talents among our young girls, and what they need are the right environment, encouragement and opportunities to excel.
Nwankwe further observed that the achievement had placed Nigeria in a unique position in global youth football history, recalling that the country also made history in 1985 when the Golden Eaglets became the first winners of the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup in China.
He described the Flamingos’ triumph as another remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s football history, noting that the country has now recorded historic successes in both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup competitions, with the Golden Eaglets winning the men’s title in 1985 and the Flamingos becoming the first African champions of the women’s competition in 2026.
The Bayelsa FA Secretary also commended the Flamingos’ head coach, Akeem Busari, for his technical ingenuity, tactical understanding and managerial brilliance, which he said played a significant role in guiding the young Nigerian side to the historic title.
“I must particularly commend Coach Akeem Busari and his technical crew for their exceptional work. His tactical ingenuity, ability to identify and maximise the strengths of his players, and the confidence he instilled in the team were instrumental in achieving this remarkable feat,” Nwankwe added.
He also applauded the players for their determination, discipline, resilience and collective spirit throughout the competition, urging the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and other relevant stakeholders to sustain the momentum by providing the necessary support and investment for the continued development of women’s football.
Nwankwe described the Flamingos’ victory as a source of immense national pride and a powerful inspiration to millions of young girls across Nigeria and Africa, urging stakeholders to translate the historic success into lasting opportunities for the next generation of female footballers.
