The Association of Nigerian Women In Sports (NAWIS) has joined well-meaning Nigerians in reserving special praise for the women’s U17 national football team, the Flamingos for their historic exploits, at the just concluded FIFA U17 World Cup in Morocco, which culminated in the team, being crowned 2026 champions.
In a congratulatory letter circulated to the media, by the PRO of the group Kanjuni Olowafumike, as the team’s touchdown in Abuja, the President of NAWIS Prof. Maryam Adefunke Suleiman of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU, Zaria) hailed the players, coaching crew, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the National Sports Commission (NSC), for propelling the ladies to rise above their 1-2 loss to Poland in their first match, to winning their next six games, including identical 3-1 thrashing of defending Champions North Korea, and powerhouse Brazil, before edging out Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final, in Rabat.
“This [Flamingos’] victory is historic, in the sense that it replicated Nigeria being the first African team, to win the FIFA U17 men’s World Cup in 1985, through the Golden Eaglets. More crucially it comes as a huge respite at a time, our football appears to be at crossroads, both on and off the field of play. NAWIS as an umbrella body for active and retired sports women in the land, are happy that our sports women are unrelenting in bringing honour and silverware to Nigeria”, she asserted.
Prof. Suleiman, who took over the leadership of NAWIS in 2024 from the founder of the association, Professor Emeritus Florence Adeyanju, went on to advocate for the youngsters to be kept together, as much as it is possible, and be exposed to well structured developmental programmes, that will facilitate their transition to the nation’s senior teams, club sides and becoming future global stars.
NAWIS also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), his amiable wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, leadership of the NSC, football loving Nigerians, and the parents of the players, who birthed and groomed the children to represent Nigeria with pride, elegance, and without blemish.
“To their head coach, Hakeem Busari we can’t thank him enough for being more than a gaffer. He was a father figure, that ensured that the youngsters did not lose focus. We believe the Federal Government and the Governors of their states of origin, will soon grant them special recognition, in appreciation for the joy they were able to put in our faces”, Prof. Suleiman concluded.
By Chinedum Ohanusi
