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| Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. File photograph. Comrade Bature / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0. |
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has congratulated Nigeria’s Flamingos on their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup victory, singling out Delta Queens goalkeeper Onyinyechi Opara for recognition.
In a message issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, the governor praised the players’ discipline and determination throughout the competition. He said their success reflected the talent available in Nigerian women’s football.
Oborevwori described Opara’s involvement in the winning squad as a source of pride for Delta. He placed her achievement alongside those of other athletes who had represented the state and Nigeria, saying young people needed opportunities and sustained support to develop their abilities.
The Nigeria Football Federation’s tournament squad announcement listed Opara as one of three goalkeepers selected by coach Akeem Busari. It identified Delta Queens as her club.
The governor said his administration would continue supporting sports development through investment in facilities, the identification of promising athletes at community level and programmes that help young people develop their skills.
He also encouraged the Flamingos to maintain their focus and build on the result in subsequent competitions. Their victory, he said, would encourage more Nigerian girls to pursue football and other sports.
Oborevwori wished the team further success, describing the championship as an achievement that extended beyond Nigeria to the African continent, according to the account of his congratulatory statement.
Nigeria secured the title by defeating Japan 2-1 in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, 7 November. The result gave the Flamingos their first championship in the competition and made Nigeria its first African winner.
Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku added Nigeria’s second in the 47th minute. Japan reduced the deficit through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, but Nigeria retained the lead until the final whistle. FIFA named Umejiaku player of the match.
The Flamingos reached the final after recovering from a 2-1 defeat by Poland in their opening match. They subsequently beat Puerto Rico and defending champions North Korea to advance from the group stage.
Victories over Mexico and Venezuela followed in the knockout rounds before Nigeria defeated Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final. The win over Japan completed the team’s campaign with six consecutive victories.