By Victor Kanayo
Nigerian team to the just concluded 7th FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup have returned home, few days after stepping up to win a bronze medal at the expense of German girls during the third-place match in India.
The Nigerian side returned on Tuesday November 1, 2022 via Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.
Upon arrival, the team was immediately presented with a cheque of N3million promised them by Super Eagles’ captain Ahmed Musa.
That was after they were received by a team of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) official by its first Vice President Felix Anyansi-Agwu at the airport.
Later on, the Nigerian Government led by its Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare hosted them to a short reception inside Moshood Abiola National stadium Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
At the reception, the government promised to provide maximum support and encouragement to the NFF as the players graduate from one level to another.
He said, “We commend you for the way you performed without fear and held up the flag to win a historic bronze for our country in this competition. I praise the NFF for the support to the team right from their screening through the qualifiers and to the arrangements for final camping in Turkey and the final tournament in India. We must also commend the coaching crew for their steadfastness in imparting the right knowledge to the players.
“I will be happy to see these players graduate from this level to the U20 and then to the senior team, because they have the skills and talent, and demonstrated ability to do very well. The Ministry will give NFF the right support to achieve that. They have served well as good ambassadors of our country on and off the pitch.”
He then promised that Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari who is currently in the United Kingdom for a medical check-up will the team when he returns.
Earlier, President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, had introduced the team to the Minister, recalling the team’s exploits during the qualifying campaign and at the final competition in India, describing the players as “young, energetic, vibrant, positive and promising.”
Captain of the team, Alvine Dah-Zossu, expressed appreciation to the government and the NFF, while thanking Nigerians from all walks of life who prayed for and wished the team well in India.
Going Down Memory Lane – How The Flamingos Truimphed
The Flamingos as the Nigerian girls are fondly known, started their campaign in the competition on a losing note to the European champions Germany.
They came back strongly to secure back-to-back wins against New Zealand and Chile to book their place in the quarter-final of the tournament.
Their biggest victory was recorded in the quarter-final as they defeated one of the tournament favourites the United States 4-3 on penalties.
They lost in the semi-final to Colombia through a penalty shoot-out before beating Germany in the third-place playoff to secure a bronze medal.
Spain emerged as the oveerall winner of the competition after beating Colombia 1-0 in the final.
