Adeboye Hails Flamingos' Historic Brazil Victory, Backs Nigeria to Beat Japan in World Cup Final

Posted : 06 November 2026

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has congratulated Nigeria's U-17 women's national team, the Flamingos, following their historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup final in Morocco.

Adeboye described the team's 3-1 semi-final victory over Brazil as a major achievement for Nigerian football. He said their performance demonstrated the potential of young Nigerian athletes and the importance of sustained investment in grassroots sports development.

The Flamingos secured their place in Saturday's final with an impressive second-half display at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat on Wednesday.

After a goalless first half, Queen Joseph opened the scoring in the 56th minute. Awawu Bashiru extended Nigeria's advantage in the 71st minute before completing her brace nine minutes later to put the team 3-0 ahead.

Brazil managed a consolation goal through Greise Kelly in the 89th minute, but Nigeria held on to secure a memorable victory.

The result took Nigeria into their first-ever final of the competition, surpassing their previous best achievement of reaching the semi-finals in 2022, when they finished third.

Speaking in Morocco, where he has been supporting the team, Adeboye praised the players for their discipline, courage, teamwork and determination throughout the tournament.

"These girls have given Nigerians something special to celebrate. They have shown the world that Nigerian football has a bright future," he said.

He also commended head coach Akeem Busari and his technical crew for their tactical preparation and leadership, which have helped the Flamingos compete against some of the world's strongest youth teams.

Adeboye noted that the team's achievement should encourage greater investment in school sports, youth competitions and grassroots talent identification programmes.

He further explained that the players were representing millions of young Nigerian girls who aspire to build careers in football and other sporting disciplines.

Ahead of Saturday's final, the presidential aide urged the Flamingos to maintain their concentration and approach Japan with the same discipline and fighting spirit that had carried them through the competition.

Japan secured their place in the final after defeating defending champions North Korea 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Although he acknowledged the strength of the Japanese team, Adeboye expressed confidence in Nigeria's ability to claim the title.

"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 stated.

The presidential aide also linked the Flamingos' achievement to the forthcoming National Grassroots Sports Development Summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He stressed the importance of establishing a sustainable national framework for identifying, developing and nurturing sporting talents across Nigeria's 774 local government areas.

According to Adeboye, the Flamingos' performance demonstrates what young Nigerian athletes can achieve when given the necessary opportunities, facilities and institutional support.

Nigeria will face Japan on Saturday, November 7, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, with the opportunity to win its first FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup title.

Adeboye Hails Flamingos' Historic Brazil Victory, Backs Nigeria to Beat Japan in World Cup Final

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