Nwifuru congratulates flamingos

From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis  Nwifuru, has congratulated Nigeria’s Under-17 Women’s National Football Team, the Flamingos, for their historic victory over Japan in the final of the 2026 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 on Saturday, November 7, 2026, to emerge champions of the competition for the first time in the country’s history and become the first African nation to win the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.

Nwifuru described the triumph as a defining moment in Nigeria’s sporting history and a source of immense national pride, noting that the remarkable achievement has placed Nigeria and the African continent on a new pedestal in global women’s football.

The Governor particularly commended the determination, discipline, courage and exceptional team spirit demonstrated by the young Nigerian footballers, whose resilience enabled them to overcome a challenging campaign and eventually conquer their Japanese opponents in the final.

He applauded Awawu Bashiru, who opened the scoring in the 39th minute, and Oluebube Umejiaku, whose 47th-minute goal doubled Nigeria’s advantage, stating that their contributions reflected the quality, commitment and collective determination that characterised the team’s performance.

While acknowledging Japan’s spirited fightback through Fuki Ito’s 80th-minute goal, Governor Nwifuru observed that the Flamingos’ ability to withstand the late pressure and preserve their advantage until the final whistle demonstrated remarkable mental strength and competitive maturity.

The Governor said the victory was particularly significant because it transcended the boundaries of sports, representing a powerful statement about the capacity of Nigerian youths to excel, break barriers and achieve extraordinary feats when given the right opportunities, encouragement and institutional support.

He noted that the achievement should inspire greater investment in grassroots sports development, particularly women’s football, while encouraging governments, sports administrators and relevant stakeholders to identify, nurture and support emerging talents across the country just the way the state is investing heavily in the Abakaliki Football Club.

Governor Nwifuru also congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation, the technical crew, players, parents and millions of Nigerian football enthusiasts who contributed to and celebrated the historic accomplishment.

He urged the Flamingos to regard their world triumph as the beginning of greater accomplishments, while assuring that their remarkable achievement would remain an enduring source of inspiration to young Nigerians aspiring to make their mark in sports and other fields of human endeavour.

The Governor called on Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations, to celebrate the victory as a unifying national achievement, stressing that the success of the Flamingos has once again demonstrated the power of sports to promote national cohesion, patriotism and international recognition.