The Association of Nigerian Women in Sports has hailed Nigeria’s historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup triumph, describing the Flamingos’ emergence as 2026 world champions as a defining moment for Nigerian football and a much-needed revival of national sporting pride.

The association has consequently called on the Federal Government and state governors to accord the victorious youngsters special national recognition and ensure that the historic squad is preserved and nurtured into future senior national team stars.

NAWIS President, Maryam Suleiman, made the call in a congratulatory message issued as the world champions arrived in Abuja, praising the players, coaching crew, Nigeria Football Federation and National Sports Commission for their remarkable achievement at the tournament in Morocco.

The Flamingos, who suffered a 1-2 defeat to Poland in their opening match, staged a remarkable comeback, winning their next six matches to lift the trophy.

Their impressive campaign included identical 3-1 victories over defending champions North Korea and football powerhouse Brazil before they defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Rabat.

Suleiman described the triumph as historic, noting that it had placed Nigeria in an exclusive position in world football by replicating the achievement of the Golden Eaglets, who became the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup in 1985.

She said the victory was particularly significant coming at a time when Nigerian football appeared to be at a crossroads, both administratively and on the field of play.

According to her, the Flamingos have demonstrated that Nigerian sportswomen remain capable of delivering global honours despite the challenges confronting the country’s sporting sector.

NAWIS, which represents active and retired sportswomen across the country, urged the relevant authorities not to allow the historic achievement to become another fleeting moment of celebration.

Suleiman specifically advocated keeping the victorious players together as much as possible and exposing them to structured developmental programmes to guarantee their smooth transition into the senior national team, professional club football and ultimately global football stardom.

She also commended head coach Hakeem Busari for providing the technical leadership and fatherly guidance that kept the young players focused throughout their remarkable campaign.

“To their head coach, Hakeem Busari, we can’t thank him enough for being more than a gaffer. He was a father figure who ensured that the youngsters did not lose focus,” she said.

The NAWIS president also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the leadership of the NSC, football-loving Nigerians and the parents of the players for their contributions to the team’s success.

She expressed optimism that the Federal Government and governors of the states from which the players hail would soon honour the champions in recognition of the joy and pride they had brought to the country.

The association stressed that the Flamingos’ triumph must mark the beginning of a deliberate investment in women’s football rather than remain an isolated sporting achievement.

For Nigeria, the message is clear: the girls have delivered the world title; the responsibility now rests on the authorities to protect, reward and develop the champions.