Ikpeme Credits Tinubu’s Support for Flamingos’ World Cup Triumph, Dedicates Trophy to President

Ikpeme Credits Tinubu’s Support for Flamingos’ World Cup Triumph, Dedicates Trophy to President

By Raphael Ekpang

Rabat (Core Reporters) – The Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has attributed the Nigeria U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos’, historic FIFA World Cup triumph to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, dedicating the trophy to the President.

Ikpeme spoke with Core Reporters shortly after the girls clinched the historic trophy in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday night. He praised President Tinubu for his support and commitment to the national teams, noting that the financial backing provided by the Federal Government boosted the players’ morale and motivation throughout the competition.

According to him, the President’s intervention played a significant role in creating the enabling environment for the team to achieve the historic feat.

Ikpeme said: “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.”

He further disclosed that President Tinubu had directed the National Sports Commission (NSC) to offset outstanding bonuses and allowances owed to the players and officials following Saturday night’s historic victory.

The triumph has also placed Nigeria in a unique position as the only African country to have won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The achievement further distinguishes Nigeria as the only African nation to have won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in both the men’s and women’s categories.

Nigeria’s male U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, remain five-time world champions, having won the competition in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.