The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has described the Flamingos’ triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup as magnificent, as the victorious team returned to Nigeria to a warm reception following their historic achievement in Morocco.
Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, NFF’s acting general secretary, and members of the federation’s management visited the players at their hotel in Abuja on Monday, where they praised the team’s discipline, hard work and determination in winning Nigeria’s first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title. Ikpeme conveyed the appreciation of the federation and the federal government, saying the players had elevated Nigeria’s standing in world football.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s distinction as the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s FIFA U-17 World Cup titles.
‘There is no way the history of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be written without your names. The Federal Government is happy, and the generality of Nigerians are happy about this accomplishment.
‘Our prayer is that, as a collective and as individuals, you will continue to improve your game, get even better and take your game to the next level,’ Ikpeme said. NFF says Flamingos’ victory was no fluke
Ikpeme disclosed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe had separately commended the Flamingos for their performance and historic achievement.
‘The FIFA President and the CAF President told me at different times that you all have done well and that your triumph was no fluke. You won it as a result of better performance.
‘You played your opponents hands down and dominated right from your second match until the end. After narrowly losing your first match, you changed your game for the better and won the following six matches convincingly to lift the trophy. You showed the world the gulf in class between you and the other teams,’ he said.
NFF urges players to progress to Super Falcons
The acting general secretary also urged the players to remain committed to improving their performances, stressing that their World Cup success should mark the beginning of a long and successful football career.
He encouraged them to identify areas of weakness, work on their development and continue aspiring to greater achievements.
‘My prayer to you all is that, as you have decided to take football as a career, your career will not end abruptly; it will keep progressing.
‘As a federation, we want to see that you progress from the U-17 level to the U-20 and then the Super Falcons,’ Ikpeme added.