President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic 2-1 victory over Japan in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
The victory makes Nigeria the first African country to win the tournament.
Tinubu described the achievement as a proud moment for the country and a landmark in African women’s football, saying the players had given Nigerians another reason to celebrate.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said he received the news of the victory upon returning from campaign engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.
He commended the players for their courage, discipline, determination and teamwork, noting that they had fulfilled their promise to bring the trophy home after defeating their opponents in the semi-final.
Tinubu also praised Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku, whose goals secured Nigeria’s historic victory, while acknowledging the contributions of the coaching crew, the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission.
He said the triumph would inspire millions of young Nigerian girls to pursue their ambitions, adding that his administration remained committed to grassroots sports development and creating opportunities for young people, particularly girls, to develop their talents.
The President further described the Flamingos’ achievement as one that had written their names in gold and made the country proud.