Flamingos Conquer The World
The world’s U-17 champions, Nigeria’s Flamingos, return home as President Bola Tinubu splashes N100 million cash awards on each of them
By Udoka Ekeleme, Abuja
Nigeria’s newly crowned FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup champions, the Flamingos, returned to the country on Monday November 9, morning to a heroic welcome.
The victorious team arrived in Abuja from Morocco following their historic triumph and were taken directly to their hotel, where they would present the World Cup trophy to President Bola Tinubu.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) described the Flamingos’ triumph as magnificent, commending the players for their discipline, determination and outstanding performances throughout the competition.
The federation’s Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, led members of the NFF management on a visit to the team at their Abuja hotel on Monday afternoon, where he conveyed the appreciation of the federation and the wider Nigerian football family.
Ikpeme congratulated the players for making history, reminding them that Nigeria had become the first African country to win the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, as well as the first to claim both the men’s and women’s Under-17 World Cup titles.
“There is no way the history of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will be written without your names. The Federal Government is happy and the generality of Nigerians are happy about this accomplishment,” he said.
He urged the players to build on their success and continue improving their performances as they progress in their football careers.
Ikpeme also disclosed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe had separately commended the Flamingos for their achievement.
According to him, both football administrators praised the team’s performances and stressed that their triumph was deserved.
He noted that after losing their opening match, the Nigerian girls recovered impressively, winning their subsequent six matches to lift the trophy.
“The FIFA President and the CAF President told me at different times that you all have done well and that your triumph was no fluke. You won it as a result of better performance,” Ikpeme said.
The NFF chief encouraged the players to remain focused, work on areas requiring improvement and aspire to progress through Nigeria’s national team structure, from the Under-17 side to the Under-20 team and eventually the Super Falcons.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu on Wednesday November 11 rewarded the U-17 Female World Cup Champions, with a savings certificate worth N100 million for each player.
Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, announced the reward while receiving the world champions at the State House in Abuja on behalf of the President.
According to her, each player will receive a savings certificate worth 100 million naira with GTBank, while the head coach got 100 million naira cash reward.
Other members of the team’s technical crew, she explained, will receive 50 million naira each.
Nigeria made history by defeating Japan 2-1 in the final in Morocco, becoming the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
