Women In Nigerian Sports – Good Luck Flamingos! — Odegbami

Nigeria is on the verge of sports history, again.

Tonight, 7 November 2026, Nigeria’s Under-17 girls will be taking on their Japanese counterparts in the final match of the 2026 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Casablanca, Morocco. It is a huge achievement for Nigeria considering the country’s relatively ‘poor treatment’ of sports for girls in the country.

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With a little bit of luck, the Flamingos, as the Nigerian National team at this level is called, will win, create history yet again, and add to the achievements of Nigerian girls in international sports.

My prayer is that they win. Winning will serve as essential motivation and incentive to challenge for the greater honours, higher trophies and to win at the highest levels.

Having followed the Flamingos’ progress through the earlier rounds in the ongoing championship, they can defeat the Japanese for the first time in the contests between them at Under-17, become the first African Champions of the world at that level, and reinforce the belief by several experts around the world that look beneath the surface of things, and for-see Nigeria as a global superpower in virtually all aspects of human endeavor starting with Sports.

So, thinking differently, positively, and from my own personal experiences working with Nigerian women in sports, tomorrow’s victory will propel Nigeria and accelerate the journey to her emergence as one of the greatest forces in sports in the world.

Also Read: King Harry And The Ballon d’Or! — Odegbami

The potentials are latent in our genes, only gradually and occasionally released and unleashed on the world during championships.

With the right administrative leadership piloting Nigerian sports, within a few years, the country shall become a global superpower in some sports including football at both male and female categories.

Why Nigerian Women Could Reach the Top First

But, I believe the women will get to the top first.

I think so from my personal experiences working with female athletes since 1991! That was the year I met Chioma Ajunwa. Although a Track and Field athlete at the time, she was drafted into the Nigerian Women’s football team heading to the World Cup for the first time. In the absence of any domestic development program for women, Chioma’s speed and power were seen and deployed as useful tools in Nigeria’s national football team. Things were that poor. Thats when I met her.

Then she ran into trouble in athletics. She was suspended for 4 years. I decided to support her through the period of her crisis because I beloved her own version of what had happened, saw the fire of determination in her eyes, and recognized the uncommon fighting spirit she possessed.

I registered with the IAAF and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria as an official Athletes Representative. I took on a few Nigerian athletes, mostly female, under my management and started work in Athletics. It lasted 5 years.

That’s where I discovered the awesome power of women in sports.

The Fighting Spirit That Sets Female Athletes Apart

Women are different, in their physiology, psychology and physicality. Their work ethic is different. The source of their motivation is different. Their spirit is different. They fight like crazy and play as if their lives depends on winning. They are genuine Warriors. They compensate for their lack of individual skills, technic and organizational acumen with their grit, energy, fighting spirit and athleticism.

I merely provided the atmosphere to train and some resources, and they did the rest.

Two of them, both female athletes went to the Olympics and returned from Atlanta ‘96 with Gold and Silver medals.

Several years down the line, I was engaged to manage Nigeria’s and one of Africa’s biggest and most successful Women’s basketball clubs. For 8 years, I watched the girls of First Bank Women’s Basketball Club train and play at national and continental levels, marveling always at their work ethics, their fighting spirit and their determination to win matches even when the odds were heavily stacked against them.

Building the Next Generation of Nigerian Female Champions

Since establishing my own Sports institution almost 20 years ago, my work with the Girl-child in sport has been hindered only by the absence of the special facilities needed to train and excel.

In the past one year, however, things have improved tremendously and I now have in place the facilities, environment, resources and the right personnel to start an authentic program that will produce the best set of female athletes and footballers in a few short years from that institution.

Also Read: If You Can’t Get To The Stars, Land On The Moon! — Odegbami

That’s how strong my belief is in Nigerian women to achieve the ultimate in sports at global level.

As we approach the finals tonight, I am drawing from the fountain of Modupe Oshikoya, Ronke Akindele, Chioma Ajunwa, Mercy Akide, Asisat Oshoala, Tobi Amusan, Mary Onyali, Falilat Ogunkoya, and so on, to inspire our girls to victory.

Flamingos Carry Nigeria’s Hopes in Morocco

I believe what my friend, 82-year old Nancy O’Neale, former African/American international athlete and two-time Olympian, told me a few weeks ago. She said that Nigerians are the smartest people on the planet, and that when they realize what they have and deploy them, in a very short period of time, Nigeria will become the greatest country in the world.

The evidence of such lofty dreams is all around us. Indeed, it is here again in Morocco reminding us that this weekend, we stand on the periphery of greatness when the Flamingos attempt to bring home the coveted trophy of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup!