Flamingos: How much Nigeria will earn after historic U-17 Women’s World Cup win

Nigeria’s Flamingos have made history by winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, but FIFA will not be handing the team a cheque for their achievement.

The Nigerian youngsters beat Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Rabat, Morocco, to become the first African country to win the competition.

With the trophy secured, attention has turned to the financial rewards the players will receive from the Nigerian government and private sponsors.

₦67.4 million gift and outstanding bonuses cleared

FIFA does not award prize money to winners of the U-17 Women’s World Cup. Unlike its senior competitions, the youth tournament has no official cash prize for the winning team.

However, the Flamingos have already received a $50,000 (approx ₦67.4 million) cash gift from Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, a sponsor of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Ahmadu presented the money during a reception in Rabat on Saturday night. The event was attended by NSC chairman Shehu Dikko, director-general Bukola Olopade and Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

The players have also received their outstanding match bonuses and camp allowances.

The Presidency, through the NSC, facilitated the payment of the money owed to the team from the preliminary qualifying rounds through to the World Cup final.

There could be more rewards when the players return to Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the team, but no official announcement has been made about additional presidential cash bonuses or national honours.

Umejiaku wins Golden Ball after starring against Japan

There was more good news for Nigeria as Oluebube Umejiaku won the Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player.

The forward also scored Nigeria’s second goal in the final, taking her tally to four goals and three assists in the competition.

Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a long-range effort that slipped through the hands of Japanese goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki.

Umejiaku made it 2-0 just two minutes into the second half. She controlled Esther Stephen’s long pass, got past the Japanese defence and lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

Japan pulled a goal back through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, but the Flamingos held on to win the final.

Nigeria’s road to the title began with a 2-1 defeat to Poland in the group stage. They recovered with victories over Puerto Rico and DPR Korea before beating Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil in the knockout rounds.

Again, Umejiaku’s Golden Ball does not come with a FIFA cash reward, but the award could open doors to professional opportunities and endorsement deals.

At the moment, the young Flamingos stars have the $50,000 gift, their cleared allowances and a World Cup trophy to celebrate.