Youth coach and talent developer Goldenmouth Chilaka has identified Nigeria’s football normalisation process as one of three factors he believes contributed to the Flamingos’ triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Chilaka also praised head coach Akeem Ishola Busari and his technical crew for guiding the team to the title, insisting that recognition should go to those directly involved in the campaign.
The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Rabat, Morocco, to claim the trophy.
Chilaka, coach and technical director at Anchorage Field Schools in FESTAC Town, Lagos, said the players’ efforts deserved recognition but urged the public to acknowledge the work of the coaching staff and football administrators involved in the team’s campaign.
“Please, let us accord praise and shower encomium only on the ones who deserve them.
“Coach Akeem (Hakeem) Busari with his crew should be praised first and foremost. If they had failed, everybody would heap blame on the coach and his crew, as is always the custom and practice in sports,” he said.
He also credited the FIFA- and CAF-approved normalisation process overseeing Nigerian football, alongside NFF Acting General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, for their roles during the period.
“We can also thank the normalisation process that was approved by FIFA and CAF to oversee football affairs in Nigeria till 31st May, 2027. Let’s also thank Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, the acting general secretary currently in charge of the NFF secretariat.
“He is in charge for the interim and handling the routine day-to-day operations. So, these three have done well, especially the team’s handler, Coach Busari. They alone deserve all credit for this victory … no one else,” Chilaka added.
The coach further cautioned against using the Flamingos’ achievement as a political tool ahead of Nigeria’s January 2027 presidential election campaign.
He maintained that the team’s success should be recognised on the basis of the contributions made by the players, coaches and administrators involved in the football process.
