Get Guardian on GoogleAs Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, tackle Japan in today’s final of FIFA U-17 WomFlamingos: ‘We want to win for Africa’en’s World Cup in Morocco, Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has charged the girls to seize their historic opportunity and become the first African team to win the championship.
Olopade gave the charge following the team’s remarkable qualification for the final, describing their achievement as a moment of immense pride for Nigeria and an opportunity to make history for African women’s football.
The Flamingos booked their place in their first-ever final with an impressive 3-1 victory over Brazil in Wednesday’s semi-final, further underlining their determination and resilience after a difficult start to the tournament.
Speaking ahead of the decisive encounter, the DG urged the players to remain focused, disciplined and determined, reminding them that they are now on the threshold of an achievement that would be remembered for generations.
“Keep your eyes on the prize. You are on the verge of writing your names in history as the first African team to win a women’s World Cup at any level. We are all behind you, the National Sports Commission, the Federal Government, your families and millions of Nigerian. Keep your eyes on the ball till the very end,” Olopade stated.
The NSC boss commended the team’s fighting spirit, particularly their ability to recover from a 2-1 opening defeat to Poland and respond with five consecutive victories to reach the final.
The Flamingos subsequently defeated Puerto Rico 2-0 and defending champions North Korea 3-1 in the group stage before overcoming Mexico 2-1 in the Round of 16. They edged Venezuela 1-0 in the quarter-finals through a late penalty by captain Azeezat Oduntan before producing a commanding second-half performance to defeat Brazil 3-1 in the semi-finals.
Against Brazil, Queen Joseph opened the scoring in the 56th minute before Awawu Bashiru struck twice in the 71st and 80th minutes to secure Nigeria’s historic passage into the final.
This final against Japan presents the Flamingos with an opportunity to go one step further than Nigeria’s previous best performance at the competition, when the team secured a bronze medal at the 2022 edition in India.
Their qualification has already guaranteed Nigeria its best-ever finish at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, but the DG believes the team has the character and discipline to achieve something even greater by bringing the trophy home.
