Sports
Future Eagles off to Japan for Dream Cup Invitational Tournament
Nigeria’s U16 boys, otherwise known as Future Eagles, will on Sunday depart the country’s shores to participate in this year’s Dream Cup Invitational Tournament.
The team has had two phases of camping in the Federal Capital, Abuja in the past two months, during which it had won seven of its eight friendly matches and lost only one.
On Thursday, a Member of the NFF Committee on Youth Competitions, Adam Mouktar Mohammed, who is also Chairman of the FCT Football Association, visited the Future Eagles during their training session.
Adam Mouktar Mohammed encouraged the boys to put in their best in Japan and make the country proud. “My visit today is to encourage and assure of your future in Nigeria football if you continue to listen to your coaches and grow in the game.”
He charged players of the Future Eagles to take to heart the virtues of discipline, dedication and commitment as they head to the Dream Cup Tournament which is kicking off on Sunday.
Mohammed harped on the importance of imbibing enviable character traits that will take the players to the top faster than even their abilities on the field of play.
“Discipline and character are values that you must not take for granted. You may be the best player in the world, but without discipline and character, you would sooner find yourself on the scrap heap.”
Nigeria will confront host nation Japan, The Netherlands and USA in the Dream Cup Invitational Tournament, taking place 31 May – 5 June. The Future Eagles will take on The Netherlands in the opening fixture of the tourney.
Sports
Flamingos’ Historic World Cup Feat Draws Musawa’s Commendation
Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat to claim Nigeria’s first title in the competition and make history as the first African nation to win the tournament.
Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the advantage two minutes after the restart. Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian girls held on to secure a memorable victory.
In a congratulatory message was signed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze on Sunday in Abuja, Musawa described the achievement as a defining moment for Nigeria and a significant milestone for African women’s football, attributing the success to the team’s resilience, talent and determination.
“This is more than a trophy. It is a story of young Nigerian girls who refused to give up, who rose after defeat, and who carried the hopes of a continent to the top of the world,” she said.
The Minister noted that the Flamingos had broken new ground by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria also became the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup titles.
The team further achieved another remarkable feat by becoming the first side in the competition’s history to lose its opening match and eventually emerge champions.
Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Poland in their opening group-stage encounter, the Flamingos recovered impressively, recording six consecutive victories to lift the trophy.
Musawa particularly praised Umejiaku, who claimed the tournament’s Golden Ball award as the best player, and Bashiru for their crucial contributions in the final.
She also commended the entire squad for their discipline, teamwork and determination throughout the competition.
According to her, the victory demonstrates the creativity, courage and excellence of Nigerian youths on the global stage.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to celebrating and promoting the achievements and inspiring stories of young Nigerians who continue to bring honour to the country.
“Our girls have shown the world what Nigeria is made of. We celebrate you today, and we will continue to stand with you,” she added.
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