NIS DG Philip Shaibu backs Flamingos to win U-17 Women's World Cup

National Institute for Sports Director-General Philip Shaibu has expressed strong confidence that Nigeria's U-17 women's team, the Flamingos, will win the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. Shaibu, a former professional footballer, says he monitored the team's pre-tournament preparations and was encouraged by their training intensity and the final squad selected by the technical crew.

Shaubu notes he personally identified several players in the squad and believes the team's match-by-match approach—treating each game with unique preparation and attitude—is the right strategy. The Flamingos recently defeated Venezuela to advance to the semi-finals against Brazil. With all Asian teams already eliminated, Shaibu says "the Americans are next" and predicts the Nigerian side will ultimately bring home the trophy.

He emphasizes that maintaining focus, discipline, and determination across a seven-game tournament plan matters more than looking ahead. Shaibu urges Nigerians to remain supportive and expectant as the team pursues the ultimate prize.

For Nigerian football followers, this endorsement from the country's top sports institute leader signals institutional belief in the youth development pipeline. The Flamingos' semi-final run already matches Nigeria's best-ever performance at this level (2022). A trophy would be historic.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/11/03/shaibu-backs-flamingos-to-win-world-cup-trophy/