…Commends Coach Busari, Technical Crew for Quarter-Final Qualification
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their 2–1 victory over Mexico to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Adeyinka expressed delight at the team’s impressive performance, praising the young Nigerian players for their confidence, determination and fighting spirit, which he described as a reflection of the country’s abundant sporting talents.
He commended the players for demonstrating resilience and bouncing back strongly after their opening-match defeat to Poland, noting that their subsequent victories underscored their competitive spirit and determination to succeed.
The presidential aide also congratulated head coach Hakeem Busari and his technical crew for their dedication, commitment and efforts in guiding the team to the quarter-final stage.
According to Adeyinka, the Flamingos’ achievement highlights the importance of sustained investment in grassroots sports, school competitions and early talent identification as essential strategies for discovering and nurturing the next generation of Nigerian sporting stars, particularly young female athletes.
He stressed that creating more opportunities for talented youths to showcase their abilities and compete at the highest level remains critical to the development of sports in Nigeria.
Adeyinka noted that these priorities would feature prominently at the forthcoming National Grassroots Sports Development Summit, scheduled for November 18–19, 2026, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Flamingos secured their quarter-final ticket with goals from Oluebube Umejiaku in the 40th minute and Mary Dunstan in the 71st minute, while Mexico’s Emily Delgado scored a late consolation goal in the 90th minute of added time.
Nigeria will now face Venezuela in the quarter-finals as the team continues its quest for the tournament title.
Adeyinka urged the players to remain focused, disciplined and determined as they prepare for the next challenge, emphasising that their journey is far from over.
He encouraged the young footballers to sustain their momentum, believe in their abilities and continue making the country proud, expressing confidence in their potential to achieve even greater success on the global stage.
“You have made Nigeria proud, but the journey is not over. Keep believing, keep fighting and keep making our nation proud. The trophy is within reach!” he said.
