Tinubu Must Not Overlook 2022 Flamingos, Says Women’s Football Advocate Moses Bako
By Sportsgister
Women’s football advocate and grassroots talent scout, Moses Nagogo Bako, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to extend presidential recognition to Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Bako urged the President to host the world champions at the Presidential Villa, alongside their coaches, technical crew and backroom staff, in recognition of their outstanding achievement and contribution to Nigeria’s sporting history.
However, the grassroots football advocate stressed that while the country celebrates the latest generation of champions, the achievements of the 2022 Flamingos, who secured a historic bronze medal at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India, must not be forgotten.
According to him, the 2022 squad equally deserves national recognition for its remarkable contribution to the growth and development of women’s football in Nigeria.
“Mr. President, please host these champions. Celebrate the girls, their coaches, and everyone who contributed to this historic achievement. But as we celebrate today’s champions, let us also remember the 2022 team that won bronze. They, too, deserve to be celebrated,” Bako appealed.
Bako’s Commitment to Grassroots Women’s Football
Bako has established himself as an active advocate for grassroots women’s football and talent discovery, consistently identifying with competitions and platforms that provide opportunities for emerging female footballers to showcase their abilities.
He is a familiar face at the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship, Nationwide League and several grassroots football competitions, including HerGame National, Judith Chime Championship, WAFA, NAWFA, SEWFA and SOSAWFA tournaments.
Through his consistent involvement in these competitions, Bako has continued to champion greater opportunities for young female footballers, particularly those aspiring to represent Nigeria at national and international levels.
He believes that celebrating national team achievements should go beyond recognising the players who lift trophies. According to him, coaches, scouts, technical officials, administrators and grassroots football stakeholders also deserve appreciation for their contributions to the development of the women’s game.
Why the 2022 Flamingos Deserve Recognition
The women’s football advocate maintained that recognising both the 2026 world champions and the 2022 bronze medallists would send a powerful message to aspiring footballers across the country.
He noted that celebrating past and present achievements would inspire emerging talents, strengthen confidence in women’s football and demonstrate that Nigeria values its sporting heroes and heroines.
Bako further emphasised the need for sustained investment in women’s football, particularly at the grassroots level, where many future national team stars begin their football journeys.
He stressed that Nigeria must develop a culture of appreciating sporting excellence by honouring not only those currently making headlines but also those whose contributions have laid the foundation for subsequent successes.
He concluded that the country’s latest World Cup triumph should serve as an opportunity to strengthen the structures supporting women’s football, improve grassroots talent identification and create more development opportunities for young female players.
Bako’s appeal comes in the wake of the Flamingos’ historic achievement at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, where Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in the final to become the first African nation to win the competition.
His message remains straightforward: celebrate the world champions, honour the 2022 bronze medallists and recognise the coaches, scouts and grassroots football stakeholders working tirelessly to discover and nurture the next generation of Nigerian football stars.
For Bako, every generation that contributes to Nigeria’s football success deserves to be remembered and celebrated.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
