Flamingos Return Home As World Champions, Await Tinubu’s Reception, Rewards

Nigeria’s newly crowned FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup champions, the Flamingos, returned to the country on Monday morning to a hero’s welcome, but details of their presidential reception and possible rewards remain uncertain as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) awaits directives from the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The victorious team arrived in Abuja from Morocco following their historic triumph and were taken directly to their hotel, where they are expected to await further arrangements, including a possible presentation of the World Cup trophy to President Bola Tinubu.

However, the NFF is yet to receive official communication on the team’s itinerary and the proposed presidential reception.

When contacted by LEADERSHIP Sports on Monday, NFF Deputy General Secretary and Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire, said the federation was still awaiting information from the sports commission.

“We are still waiting to get word from the NSC,” Olajire said.

The uncertainty comes amid growing expectations that the Federal Government will formally receive and reward the young champions following their historic achievement in Morocco.

Meanwhile, the NFF has described the Flamingos’ triumph as magnificent, commending the players for their discipline, determination and outstanding performances throughout the competition.

The federation’s Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, MON, led members of the NFF management on a visit to the team at their Abuja hotel on Monday afternoon, where he conveyed the appreciation of the federation and the wider Nigerian football family.

Ikpeme congratulated the players for making history, reminding them that Nigeria had become the first African country to win the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, as well as the first to claim both the men’s and women’s Under-17 World Cup titles.

“There is no way the history of the FIFA U17 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,” he said.

He urged the players to build on their success and continue improving their performances as they progress in their football careers.
Ikpeme also disclosed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe had separately commended the Flamingos for their achievement.

According to him, both football administrators praised the team’s performances and stressed that their triumph was deserved.

He noted that after losing their opening match, the Nigerian girls recovered impressively, winning their subsequent six matches to lift the trophy.

“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,” Ikpeme said.

The NFF chief encouraged the players to remain focused, work on areas requiring improvement and aspire to progress through Nigeria’s national team structure, from the Under-17 side to the Under-20 team and eventually the Super Falcons.

He expressed the federation’s hope that their football careers would continue to flourish beyond their present achievement.

Other NFF officials present during the visit included Acting Deputy General Secretary, Dr Ademola Olajire; Director of Legal Services, Okey Obi; Director of Competitions, Ruth David; Director of Finance and Administration, Rajan Zaka; Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dayo Enebi Achor; and Head of Women’s Football, Hajiya Amina Daura.

Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Rabat, Morocco, to become the first African nation to win the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.

The historic victory has sparked celebrations across the country, with attention now turning to the Federal Government’s plans to formally honour and reward the champions.