“These Girls Are Too Good!” — SSA Adeboye Hails Flamingos After Thrilling Victory Over Mexico
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, could not hide his excitement as Nigeria’s Flamingos defeated Mexico 2-1 to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco on Thursday.
Adeboye, who was at the stadium to cheer the Nigerian youngsters, described their performance as exceptional, declaring that the team possesses the quality, confidence and determination to challenge for the world title.
“These girls are too good! I am genuinely impressed with what I have seen. Their confidence, determination and understanding of the game are remarkable. They have shown that Nigerian football has a very bright future, especially at the grassroots,” Adeboye said.
The Flamingos took the lead through Oluebube Umejiaku in the 40th minute before Dunstan doubled Nigeria’s advantage in the 71st minute.
Although Mexico pulled a goal back through Delgado in stoppage time, the Nigerian girls held their nerve to secure a place in the last eight, where they will face Venezuela.
The victory marked Nigeria’s third consecutive win in the competition, following earlier successes against Puerto Rico and defending champions North Korea.
Adeboye praised the resilience of the players, particularly their response after losing their opening match to Poland, describing their recovery as evidence of strong character and growing maturity.
“What makes me particularly happy is the fighting spirit of these young girls. They suffered an early setback, but instead of allowing it to discourage them, they came back stronger. That is the mentality of champions,” he stated.
The Presidential aide also commended head coach Hakeem Busari and his technical crew for their efforts in preparing the team and maintaining the players’ confidence.
He stressed that the Flamingos’ impressive performances demonstrate why Nigeria must continue investing in school sports, grassroots competitions, coaching development and structured opportunities for young female athletes.
“These girls are living proof that when we identify talent early and provide the right support, Nigeria can compete with the best in the world. Imagine how many more talented girls are waiting to be discovered in our schools and communities,” Adeboye added.
He noted that developing such talents remains central to the forthcoming National Grassroots Sports Development Summit, scheduled for November 18–19, 2026, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Looking ahead to the quarter-final clash against Venezuela, Adeboye urged the Flamingos to remain focused and continue believing in their ability to make history.
“These girls are too good to stop here. They have already made Nigerians proud, but I believe they can go even further. They should remain focused, play with confidence and keep their eyes on the trophy,” he concluded.
