by Comrade Kunle Sodipo
ckswritings@gmail.com
_November, 2026_
On behalf of myself, my family, and the good people of Abeokuta South Constituency II, I heartily congratulate the Nigeria Under-17 Female Football Team, the Flamingos, on their historic triumph at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
By beating Japan 2-1 in a thrilling final in Rabat, our girls have not just won a trophy. They have made history.
They are now crowned World Champions. The first African team ever to be crowned champions of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup. The first African country to win the title in both the men’s and women’s U-17 categories.
What makes this victory even sweeter is the story behind it.
These are our girls. Majorly home-grown. Raw talents nurtured on Nigerian soil. They lost their opening match 2-1 to Poland, and many wrote them off. But like true Nigerians, they refused to give up.
They rose. They beat Puerto Rico. They beat defending champions Korea DPR. They beat Mexico. They beat Venezuela. They beat Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final. And in the final, with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku, they silenced Japan.
This is the efficacy of raw Nigerian talent coupled with the resilience of the Nigerian blood. It is proof that when we invest in our own, believe in our own, and give our young girls a chance, they can conquer the world.
To Captain Harmony Chidi, to Coach Akeem Busari and his technical crew, and to every member of this golden team – you have written your names in gold. You have shown the world that the Nigerian girl-child is not to be underrated. You have given hope to millions of young girls in Abeokuta, in Ogun State, and across Nigeria who dream of greatness.
You did not just win for Nigeria. You won for Africa. You won for every girl who was told she cannot.
Congratulations, Flamingos. Nigeria is proud of you. Africa is proud of you. The world now knows your name.
*Comrade Sodipo Olukunle Oladimeji, _anipr_*
PR Practitioner | Public Affairs Analyst | Boot Party House of Assembly Candidate,
OGHA,
Abeokuta South Constituency II
