Nigeria’s triumphant Flamingos arrived in Abuja on Monday morning, November 9, following their historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigerian side defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final to win the competition for the first time, with Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scoring the goals that secured the historic triumph.

The victory also made the Flamingos the first African team to emerge champions of the global age-grade tournament.

Their remarkable achievement followed an impressive campaign at the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup in Côte d’Ivoire, where they recorded victories in all five matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding only once.

Head coach Hakeem Busari applauded his players for their determination and tactical discipline, describing their success as proof of the progress being made in women’s youth football across Africa.

Speaking after the final, Busari noted that the performances of African teams at the tournament reflected significant improvements in quality, character and competitiveness, despite the strong opposition they faced.

“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 further disclosed that his technical team had identified Japan’s strength in winning second balls and exploiting spaces behind defensive lines as major threats ahead of the final.

He explained that the Flamingos modified their tactics by playing long passes into open spaces to prevent Japan from easily recovering possession.

Busari added that his players initially sought to score an early goal but became more cautious after taking the lead. Japan later drew level through a set-piece, forcing the Nigerian side into a tactical contest that required collective defending and discipline.

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

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

The President said the victory would serve as an inspiration to millions of young Nigerian girls, demonstrating what they could achieve through hard work, opportunity and determination.

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his allegation that officials prevented him from meeting and congratulating members of Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports that Olusegun accused the former Anambra State governor of attempting to introduce politics into national sports, describing his comments as distasteful.

The presidential aide made his position known in a statement shared on his social media page, where he emphasised that national sports teams represent all Nigerians rather than any political party or individual.

Olusegun explained that the protocols guiding national teams were designed to protect young athletes from political interference, commercial distractions and unnecessary media attention while carrying out their duties.

He argued that portraying standard security and administrative procedures as political victimisation could undermine the unity that sports are expected to promote.

In his statement, Olusegun said, “To spin standard security and administrative protocols into a narrative of political victimisation is a disservice to the unity that sports are meant to foster in our country.”

He also urged Obi to desist from relying on unverified claims to portray himself as a victim.

“Mr Peter Obi, I hope you will reflect on your manipulative way of life and stop weaponising unverified hearsay to build a victim narrative. Let our athletes focus on winning for Nigeria, free from political theatre,” he added.

Recall that Obi had earlier taken to his X account to condemn what he described as a new dimension of toxic politics in Nigeria.

The former Anambra governor alleged that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from approaching the young players, claiming they were afraid of losing their jobs if they allowed him to meet the team.

The controversy followed the Flamingos’ historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, where they defeated Japan 2-1 in the final to emerge champions.

Gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, has been laid to rest at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, weeks after his death.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶