Dikko, Olopade and Ikpeme join the Flamingos on the podium as Captain Harmony Chidi lifts the FIFA World Cup [Credit: NFF Media]
The team was hosted by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Bukola Olopade, for their remarkable achievement
The Flamingos of Nigeria, champions of the world, were given a special treat in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday night after their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, where they defeated Japan to become the first African team to win the competition.
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The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Bukola Olopade, hosted the team to celebrate their remarkable achievement.
The reception was also attended by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and Saleh Ahmadu, a sponsor of the National Sports Commission.
It was an opportunity to celebrate a group of young players who have made the country proud and delivered a historic moment for Nigerian women’s football. In a further show of appreciation, Mr Ahmadu rewarded the team with a cash gift of $50,000.
It was a welcome gesture for the players and officials, whose hard work, commitment and determination throughout the tournament ultimately brought the trophy home.
There was also good news concerning the outstanding bonuses owed to the team. The Presidency, through the National Sports Commission, facilitated the payment of the Flamingos’ bonuses covering their journey from the preliminary qualifying rounds through to the final match, which they won spectacularly with a 2-1 victory over 2014 champions Japan.
Ikpeme dedicates Flamingos’ World Cup triumph to President Tinubu
Meanwhile, the Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Emmanuel Ikpeme, has dedicated Saturday night’s FIFA World Cup win by the Flamingos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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“This victory has been made possible by the support and special love shown to all the National Teams at every point in time by His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The Father of the Nation has continued to be a father for all, and we are grateful for his love and encouragement all the time.”
Mr Tinubu directed the National Sports Commission to offset the outstanding bonuses and allowances of the players and officials following Saturday night’s historic win, which made Nigeria the only African country to have won the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup trophy.
The feat also sets Nigeria apart as the only African country to have won the FIFA U17 World Cup in both the men’s and women’s categories. The male team, Golden Eaglets, remains a five-time world champion: 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.