Former Super Eagles captain and head coach Sunday Oliseh has congratulated Nigeria's Flamingos on their historic success at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco. The Nigerian youngsters made history by becoming the first African team to lift the trophy. Oliseh followed almost every game during Nigeria's campaign and took to his official X account to celebrate the team's achievement. He praised the players for their pace, intelligence, determination, and strong team spirit.
Oliseh revealed that the Flamingos' group-stage clash against North Korea was his standout match of the tournament. He described their remarkable achievement as a moment that brought him immense joy. "Congratulations Flamingos, I saw almost every game and the North Korea game was my favourite. You just made my year! These girls got pace, football intelligence, hunger to succeed, and a great team spirit," Oliseh wrote on X.
Nigeria's journey to the title was not without challenges, as they opened their campaign with a 2-1 loss to Poland. However, the team responded positively, recording victories over Puerto Rico and defending champions North Korea to advance from the group stage. The Flamingos maintained their momentum in the knockout rounds, overcoming Mexico and Venezuela before producing an impressive 3-1 victory against Brazil.
The Nigerian side produced an impressive 3-1 victory against Brazil to book their first-ever appearance in the tournament's final. Their historic campaign reached its climax on Saturday in Rabat, where Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 to claim the U-17 Women's World Cup title. Japan attempted to fight back through Fuki Ito, who reduced the deficit, but the Nigerian side remained resolute until the final whistle.
The triumph marks a landmark moment for Nigerian women's football and African football as a whole, with the Flamingos etching their names into history as the first African champions of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. The team's impressive performances throughout the competition earned widespread recognition.
The Flamingos' achievement is a testament to the growth and development of women's football in Nigeria. The team's success is expected to inspire a new generation of female footballers in the country. Oliseh's congratulatory message is just one of many that have been pouring in from football fans and stakeholders across the continent.
As the Nigerian team returns home, they will be welcomed as heroes. The country's football fans are eagerly awaiting their return, and the team's achievement is expected to have a positive impact on the development of women's football in Nigeria. The Flamingos' historic win will be remembered for years to come as a milestone in African football history.
Key points
- The Nigerian Flamingos became the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup title.
