ABUJA, NIGERIA — Nigeria’s U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, returned to a jubilant welcome in Abuja on Monday, carrying the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy after becoming the first African nation to win the tournament.
Exiting Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the sounds of a celebratory brass band, the players posed for selfies with delighted supporters before boarding a team bus emblazoned with “Champions of the World”.
The Flamingos won in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, beating Japan 2-1 in the final. Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scored the goals that secured Nigeria’s win, with Umejiaku also winning the competition’s Golden Ball award.
After bouncing back from an opening-match defeat to Poland, Nigeria has become the first African women’s side to lift a FIFA World Cup trophy at any age level.
Flamingos head coach Akeem Busari credited the squad’s mentality for their remarkable turnaround. “They have to have the three Ds: determination, dedication and discipline,” Busari said. “And equally, all the feats you really want to achieve should not just be in your mind. Work towards achieving them.”
Sports analyst Undoubtedly Tehileru commended the team for its perseverance and historical feat. “They were getting better in each game. They lost their first game, but then in the second game, they just beat them,” she remarked. “They are the first team in Africa who have ever won the Women’s Under-17 World Cup and made it to the finals, and that’s only Nigeria.”
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