Flamingos crowned WAFU-B U17 champions as Ikpeme backs World Cup success

The Nigeria Football Federation’s Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has praised the Flamingos after they won the WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire, with a perfect record.

Nigeria defeated Togo 4-0 on Sunday morning in the final, completing a run of five wins from five matches. Coach Akeem Busari’s side scored 17 goals during the tournament and conceded only two.

Captain Harmony Chidi scored twice from the penalty spot before half-time. Oluebube Umejiaku added a third in the 67th minute, while Oluwakemi Adegbuyi completed the scoring in the 90th minute.

The Flamingos opened their campaign with a 5-0 victory over Niger Republic. They then beat rivals Ghana 4-2, overcame Burkina Faso 2-0 and defeated hosts Cote d’Ivoire 2-0 before their emphatic final win against Togo.

Ikpeme said the team’s performance had strengthened his belief that Nigeria can make an impact at next month’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

“The Flamingos have done very well, made the nation proud and I have this faith in the players that they are not done yet. I have confidence in the team to go to Morocco and achieve great things at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup that is starting next month,” he said.

He also described the team’s unbeaten tournament as a significant achievement and credited WAFU-B for providing valuable preparation ahead of the global competition.

“It is no mean feat to win five matches out of five in a tournament. That is a distinction. The NFF is appreciative of the WAFU-B headquarters for organising the tournament as a premium preparatory event for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, and I believe the Flamingos have benefitted immensely ahead of the global competition,” Ikpeme added.

The Flamingos, who won bronze at the 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, are due to return to Nigeria on Tuesday.