Flamingos one step from historic World title

Despite a noticeable lull in Nigerian football, the U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, currently stand on the precipice of footballing immortality. Following a dominant, history-making 3-1 demolition of Brazil in the semi-finals in Morocco on Wednesday, the Coach Hakeem Busari-led explosive young squad has become the first African nation ever to reach the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Driven by tactical masterclasses and the brilliance of stars like Awawu Bashiru, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, Oluebube Umejiaku, and Queen Joseph, this relentless group has captivated a continent and shattered expectations at every turn. Now, with only a formidable Japanese side separating them from the ultimate prize, the Flamingos are no longer just a team with potential, they are a victory away from crowning a dream and changing the landscape of African women’s football forever.

The Flamingos’ semi-final clash with Brazil was a game that started with tension. Both teams knew what was at stake: a place in the final against Japan, who were already waiting. Nigeria started brightly, with Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Oluebube Umejiaku both trying their luck early, and Queen Joseph coming very close in the 21st minute, only to be denied by a big save from the Brazilian goalkeeper.

At half-time, despite all the chances, it was still 0-0, and the pressure kept growing on the Nigerian bench. But the second half was a different story. Just eleven minutes after the restart, Queen Joseph finally got the goal Nigeria deserved. She found the back of the net and celebrated with the famous “Siuuu” made popular by Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, sending the Nigerian supporters in Rabat into wild jubilation.

The star of the night, no doubt, was midfielder Awawu Bashiru. In the 71st minute, she produced a beautiful finish to make it 2-0, and before Brazil could even recover, she struck again in the 80th minute to make it 3-0. Two goals in nine minutes against a Brazilian team! The Samba girls scored a late consolation goal through Greise Kelly in the 89th minute, but it was too little, too late.

The resounding semi-final victory was historic and significant because it broke a continental barrier. While Ghana (2012) and Nigeria themselves (2022) previously secured bronze medals, no African team had ever contested the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Today, history has been made due to the Flamingos’ incredible resilience. Worthy of mention is the Nigerian girls’ tactical bounce-back from an opening defeat against Poland and their magnificent 3-1 victory that snapped North Korea’s historic 18-match unbeaten run during the group stage.

Having successfully navigated through the group and knockout stages to reach the historic final, the team’s attention has automatically shifted to the decisive encounter against Japan on Saturday, November 7, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat. Coach Busari, in a post-match interview, described the victory over Brazil as a career turning point and stressed that while Nigeria is now guaranteed a medal, the ultimate goal is the trophy at stake.

He, therefore, urged his girls to stay grounded ahead of the final against Japan, remarking that they need to “finish the job” and “put the icing on the cake.”

Busari also charged his players to be composed in front of goal in order to convert goal-scoring opportunities like the multitude that fell to them in the semi-final with Brazil.

Tinubu, others charge Flamingos to go for trophy

Congratulatory messages trailed the Flamingos’ dominant performance against Brazil, with Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu leading the victory celebration.

His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, quoted the President as describing the team’s qualification for the final as “a remarkable achievement that has brought immense pride and joy to millions of Nigerians at home and abroad.”

Ahead of the final, President Tinubu urged the players to remain focused, confident, and determined, assuring them of the prayers, goodwill, and unflinching support of the Nigerian nation.

“I encourage you to approach the final with the same fighting spirit and belief that have brought you this far. I have confidence in your ability to make history by winning the coveted world title,” Tinubu said.

“I call on all Nigerians to rally behind the young ambassadors of the nation, whose achievements continue to showcase Nigeria’s sporting excellence and inspire a new generation of girls to pursue their dreams uninhibited.

“Once again, Nigeria is proud of you. Go for the trophy, Flamingos!” he added.

In a related development, the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, congratulated the Flamingos on their historic qualification for the World Cup final. He urged the players and their officials to remain focused, disciplined, and determined as they face Japan in the final, expressing confidence in the players’ ability to go all the way and bring the coveted trophy home.

Similarly, former Edo State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, expressed confidence in the Flamingos’ ability to complete their “seven-game strategy” and bring the ultimate trophy back home to proud Nigerian fans.

“I believe in the young girls’ resilience and determination to win and make Nigerians proud. They should know that Nigerians are solidly behind them,” he said.

Politicians, gov’t officials shouldn’t pressure Flamingos — Ogbadu

Meanwhile, a football enthusiast and Director of JEC Hospital Suleja, Dr. John Ogbadu, has said too much pressure on the young girls could cost Nigeria the trophy.

His advice comes against the background of the distractions that Nigerian national teams usually face whenever they reach the final of a major competition.

It is often noted that in Nigerian sports, government officials and politicians tend to ignore youth teams during their qualifiers and early group stages. However, once a team starts winning and reaches the semi-finals or final, politicians fall over one another to identify with the team.

There is also a “jinx” superstition among fans who worry—jokingly or seriously—that when top political leaders openly make high-stakes demands for the trophy, it brings bad luck or puts the players under unnecessary pressure.

Dr. Ogbadu, therefore, said the Flamingos do not need such distractions now that they are on the verge of history, arguing that the girls should be allowed to concentrate fully on the task before them.

“The team is doing excellently well, but I am afraid they will easily be distracted by government officials and politicians who like to reap where they didn’t sow,” Ogbadu said.

“If you check very well, most of them are right now trying to obtain visas to travel to Morocco just to go and put needless pressure on the players.

“Those who want to support the team in the final can do so at home by way of prayers. If there is anything the team needs at this critical moment, it is focus and concentration.

“The heavy presence of government officials in Morocco will be counter-productive as it would easily distract the girls,” said the former member of the NFF Medical Committee.

Nigeria, after losing their curtain-raiser to Poland, became the second nation since 2014 to recover and reach the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final.

Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.