Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their 3-1 victory over Brazil in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Adeboye described the victory as a landmark achievement for Nigerian football, saying the team’s historic qualification for the final highlights the potential of young Nigerian athletes and the importance of sustained investment in grassroots sports development.
The Flamingos will face Japan in the final on Saturday, November 7, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, as they seek to win their first title in the competition.
Speaking in Morocco, where he has been supporting the team, Adeboye praised the players for their courage, discipline, teamwork and determination throughout the tournament.
He said their performances had demonstrated the quality and promise of Nigeria’s emerging football talents.
“These girls have given Nigerians something special to celebrate. They have shown the world that Nigerian football has a bright future. What excites me most is not just the victory over Brazil, but the unity, confidence and fighting spirit these young champions have displayed throughout this tournament,” he said.
The presidential aide also commended head coach Akeem Busari and his technical crew for their preparation, leadership and efforts in building a team capable of competing against some of the world’s strongest sides.
He further praised the players for their composure against Brazil, saying their achievement should encourage increased investment in school sports, youth competitions and grassroots talent identification programmes.
According to Adeboye, the Flamingos’ success carries significance beyond the tournament, serving as an inspiration to young Nigerian girls who aspire to pursue careers in football and other sports.
“I have watched these girls closely, encouraged them and witnessed their hunger to succeed. They are not just playing for a trophy; they are carrying the dreams of millions of young Nigerian girls who believe that one day, they, too, can represent their country,” he added.
Ahead of Saturday’s final, Adeboye urged the players to remain focused, disciplined and determined as they prepare to face Japan.
While acknowledging Japan’s strength, he expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“Japan will be a formidable opponent, but our girls have demonstrated that they possess the character to compete at this level. I urge them to approach the final with the same discipline, unity and determination that brought them this far. Nigeria is proudly behind them,” he said.
Adeboye also linked the team’s achievement to the forthcoming National Grassroots Sports Development Summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He called for a sustainable national framework to discover, develop and nurture sporting talent across the country, noting that the Flamingos’ success demonstrates what young athletes can achieve when given the right support and opportunities.
“The Flamingos are living proof that when young talents receive the right opportunities, Nigeria can compete with the best in the world. Our responsibility is to make such opportunities available to children across all 774 local government areas,” he concluded.
Adeboye said the team’s historic run should serve as a renewed call for stronger grassroots sports structures, improved youth development programmes and greater opportunities for young Nigerians to excel internationally.
