Now, the real work begins. We must not rest on our laurels
By Dr. Femi Eperokun, a personal perspective
Nigeria’s Flaming Flamingos have made history — the first African team ever to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, after beating Japan 2-1 in the final in Rabat, Morocco.
They did it the hard way. They lost their opening match to Poland, then won six matches in a row — beating Puerto Rico, defending champions Korea DPR, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, and finally Japan.
Now, the real work begins. We must not rest on our laurels, as happened with the male teams in the past. We must build on this success.
Here is the road map for the Flamingos to move from U-17 champions to world champions at the next level:
- Short-Term Goals: Reward and Retain
Immediate Rewards:
Thank you to Mr. President and all stakeholders who have honoured the team. This recognition must be followed by real, lasting support.
Promote the Coach:
Promote Head Coach Akeem Busari and his technical team to the next age grade (U-20). This will allow him to continue with this same core of players, fine-tune the strategy, and ensure continuity in player selection.
Upgrade the Coaching Staff:
Provide upgraded training, modern coaching courses, and exposure for the entire technical team.
Build on World Cup Experience:
This World Cup tested them against the best in the world. That experience is invaluable. They are now the team everyone wants to beat.
Exhibition Matches:
Organise exhibition matches and promotional tours for the team. This will promote female football, inspire young girls across Nigeria, and attract private-sector sponsorship. Nigeria pioneered this path — we hosted the first female league in the world in 1991. We must lead again.
- Tactical Enhancements
Develop a Stronger Defence:
Solidify the defensive strategy to minimize conceded goals. Players must work on communication, coordination, and discipline to build a formidable backline.
Enhance Attacking Options:
With the talent in this team — including Golden Ball winner Oluebube Umejiaku — we must develop a more robust and dynamic attacking system that leverages each player’s strengths.
- Long-Term Development
Invest in Grassroots Football:
Build a strong grassroots programme to ensure a steady supply of talented young players. This means investing in football infrastructure, training facilities, and coaching programmes across all states.
Player Development:
Let’s give these players opportunities to play in top-level leagues and tournaments abroad. That exposure will accelerate their growth.
Coaching and Support Staff:
The Nigeria Football Federation should ensure coaches, analysts, and support staff are equipped with the latest knowledge and techniques.
- Infrastructure and Resources
Better Training Facilities:
Provide access to modern training facilities and equipment so the team can train effectively and improve performance.
Sports Science Support:
Integrate sports science, nutrition, and sports medicine into the training programme to optimize performance and reduce injuries.
- Mental Preparation
Mental Toughness Training:
Develop mental toughness and resilience for high-pressure situations. Working with sports psychologists will help players perform under pressure.
Team Building:
Foster a strong team culture and camaraderie. This unity will give them the desired “X” factor.
Building Resilience:
Resilience is essential to succeed when the chips are down — just as they showed when they bounced back from defeat to Poland to win the World Cup.
Exhibition Tours:
Use tours to encourage more youth participation in female football.
If all these boxes are well ticked, world dominance in female football is not just a dream.
It is the NEXT MISSION!
Femi Eperokun, a medical doctor by profession, is a former footballer and has been a follower of Nigeria’s national teams since the early ’80s
