Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, arrived in Abuja on Monday morning following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The team clinched its maiden title on Saturday after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final, with Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scoring the goals that secured Nigeria’s victory.

The achievement also made the Flamingos the first African team to win the global age-grade competition.

Their triumph followed an impressive run ahead of the tournament, having won the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup in Côte d’Ivoire with a perfect record of five victories from five matches. They scored 17 goals and conceded only once during the competition.

Head coach Hakeem Busari praised his players for their determination and tactical discipline, saying their performances reflected the growing quality and competitiveness of African women’s football.

Speaking after the final, Busari described the team’s achievement as the result of sustained development, character and commitment rather than a stroke of luck.

“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.

The coach expressed hope that more African countries would reach the latter stages of future editions of the competition and eventually challenge for the title.

Reflecting on the final against Japan, Busari said his technical team had identified the opponents’ ability to win second balls and exploit spaces behind defensive lines as major threats.

He explained that the Flamingos adjusted their approach by directing long passes into open spaces rather than areas where the Japanese players could easily recover possession.

According to him, the team initially sought an early goal but became more cautious after taking the lead. Japan, however, reduced the deficit through a set-piece situation.

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

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Flamingos, describing their victory as a moment of national pride and a significant milestone for African women’s football.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said he received news of the victory after returning from campaign engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.

“What wonderful news to return home to! Our young girls have conquered the world and given Nigerians everywhere another reason to celebrate our great country.

“To our gallant Flamingos, I say congratulations. You have shown courage, discipline, determination and the Nigerian spirit of never giving up.

“I followed your journey throughout this tournament, and after your semi-final victory, you promised to bring the trophy home. Today, you have kept that promise. You believed in yourselves, fought for one another and carried our nation’s flag to the very top of the world,” the President said.

Tinubu said the victory would inspire millions of young Nigerian girls by demonstrating what they could achieve through hard work, opportunity and determination.

“Today, Nigeria celebrates you. You have written your names in gold, and your country is immensely proud of you,” he added.

The President singled out Bashiru and Umejiaku for their decisive contributions, while commending the entire squad for its teamwork throughout the competition.

He also congratulated the coaching crew, the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission for their roles in the team’s success.

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

“Congratulations once again, Flamingos. Thank you for making Nigeria proud,” he said.