The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has congratulated Nigeria’s Flamingos following their historic 3-1 victory over Brazil in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, describing the achievement as a defining moment for Nigerian grassroots football.
The victory secured Nigeria’s first-ever appearance in the tournament’s final, where the Flamingos will confront Japan on Saturday, November 7, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.
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Adeboye, who has been in Morocco supporting the team, expressed immense pride in the players’ courage, discipline and determination, saying their performance demonstrated the extraordinary potential of young Nigerian athletes.
“These girls have given Nigerians something special to celebrate. They have shown the world that Nigerian football has a bright future. What excites me most is not just the victory over Brazil, but the unity, confidence and fighting spirit these young champions have displayed throughout this tournament,” he stated.
The Presidential aide particularly praised head coach Hakeem Busari and his technical crew for building a fearless team capable of competing against the world’s best.
He also commended the players for refusing to be intimidated by Brazil’s reputation, noting that their performance should inspire greater investment in school sports, youth competitions and grassroots talent development.
“I have watched these girls closely, encouraged them and witnessed their hunger to succeed. They are not just playing for a trophy; they are carrying the dreams of millions of young Nigerian girls who believe that one day they, too, can represent their country,” Adeboye added.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s final against Japan, the SSA urged the Flamingos to remain focused and avoid complacency.
“Japan will be a formidable opponent, but our girls have demonstrated that they possess the character to compete at this level. I urge them to approach the final with the same discipline, unity and determination that brought them this far. Nigeria is proudly behind them,” he declared.
Adeboye linked the team’s historic achievement to the forthcoming National Grassroots Sports Development Summit, scheduled for November 18–19, 2026, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, stressing that Nigeria must establish sustainable pathways for discovering and nurturing future champions.
“The Flamingos are living proof that when young talents receive the right opportunities, Nigeria can compete with the best in the world. Our responsibility is to make such opportunities available to children across all 774 local government areas,” he concluded.
