President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s Flamingos on winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, telling the players they have “written your names in gold” and made the country proud.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, the President said he received the news on his return from campaign engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States. The Flamingos beat Japan 2-1 in the final in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday night.

“What wonderful news to return home to! Our young girls have conquered the world,” Tinubu said. “You have written your names in gold, and your country is immensely proud of you.”

He praised the team’s courage, discipline, determination and teamwork, and said the victory would inspire young Nigerian girls to dream bigger.

The President singled out goalscorers Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku, whose goals secured the win. He also commended the coaching crew, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) for their roles in the success.

The triumph makes Nigeria the first African country to win the U-17 Women’s World Cup, and the first Nigerian women’s team to lift a FIFA world title at any level. The Flamingos had earlier beaten Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final to reach their first-ever final.

Nigeria’s previous best at the tournament was a third-place finish in 2022. Reports say the team has since returned to Abuja after the victory in Morocco.