Nigeria’s new world champions have received their first financial reward. The Flamingos, who beat Japan 2-1 in Rabat on Saturday to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, were presented with a $50,000 cash gift at a reception in the Moroccan capital on Saturday night, according to reports by Premium Times, BusinessDay and Naija News.
The gift was made by Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, described in the reports as a sponsor of the National Sports Commission (NSC). It came hours after the team became the first African side ever to lift the trophy.
Reception in Rabat
The reception was hosted by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and the commission’s Director-General, Bukola Olopade. The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, also attended, the reports said.
BusinessDay reported that the $50,000 was shared between the players and the team officials. Naija News said the players are expected to receive more rewards, but it did not say how much or from whom.
The acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Emmanuel Ikpeme, dedicated the victory to President Bola Tinubu, according to a statement carried by Premium Times.
Bonuses paid, officials say
Unpaid allowances have long been a problem for Nigerian national teams. This time, officials say the Flamingos were paid. Premium Times and BusinessDay both reported that the Presidency, working through the NSC, made sure outstanding bonuses were paid for every stage from the qualifiers to the final.
The reports said the money was settled before the team left Morocco. That is a welcome change after past rows over unpaid entitlements, including the Super Falcons’ protest threats over allowances earlier this year.
Why FIFA pays no prize money
Some fans asked why the champions do not get a large FIFA cheque. Legit.ng, citing GOAL, explained that FIFA treats the U-17 Women’s World Cup as a youth development tournament. It does not pay official prize money to the winners, the runners-up or teams at any other stage.
Individual awards such as the Golden Ball and Golden Boot also carry no cash from FIFA. The senior Women’s World Cup is different: there, FIFA pays prize money to every team.
Because of this, any money the young players receive will come from government, sponsors and private donors.
How the title was won
The Flamingos beat 2014 champions Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex. Awawu Bashiru scored first when her looping ball slipped through the hands of goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki. Oluebube Umejiaku then added a fine second-half goal with a chip. Fuki Ito pulled one back for Japan with about ten minutes left, but Nigeria held on.
It was a remarkable run. Coach Akeem Busari’s side lost their opening game 2-1 to Poland and then won every match after that. Naija News said they are the first team to lose their first game and still go on to win the trophy. Busari said his players fought “like gladiators”.
Messages of congratulation have poured in. In a statement from his spokesman Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said “Nigeria celebrates you”. He praised Bashiru and Umejiaku by name and promised more investment in grassroots sport. Opposition candidate Peter Obi thanked the team on X for “raising our flag high”.
What happens next
The squad is expected back in Nigeria soon. Legit.ng reported that President Tinubu is expected to host the Flamingos at the Presidential Villa next week, but the government has not yet confirmed a date or said whether there will be a national cash reward.
In past years, Nigerian youth champions have been honoured with national awards and gifts after major titles. Fans will be watching to see whether the government does the same this time, and whether a clear plan follows to help these players move up to the Falconets and, in time, the Super Falcons.
Sources: Premium Times, BusinessDay, Naija News, Legit.ng/GOAL.
