By David Owei,Bayelsa
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‎Bayelsa Starlets Academy, affiliated to FC Barcelona of Spain, have moved to the top of the South South/South East Conference of the N-Youth League following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Mariners City FC of Eket on Matchday Five of the ongoing competition.
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‎The Yenagoa-based academy secured a valuable away point at the Eket Township Stadium to take their tally to 13 points, moving ahead of S-Kings Academy, who occupy second position with 12 points. FC Prague Nigeria are third, also on 12 points, while Abia Warriors FC sit fourth with nine points.
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‎Mariners City FC took the lead in the 24th minute through Nelson Okoronkwo, who capitalised on a defensive misunderstanding to put the hosts ahead.
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‎Despite conceding, Bayelsa Starlets Academy remained composed, displaying remarkable character and tactical discipline as they gradually took control of possession, dictated the pace of the game and mounted sustained pressure in search of an equaliser.
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‎The hosts, however, held on to their slender advantage going into the halftime break.
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‎Bayelsa Starlets returned from the break with renewed determination and attacking intent, taking control of proceedings and dominating possession while putting the Mariners City defence under sustained pressure.
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‎Their persistence eventually paid off in the 78th minute when Wisdom Omosua restored parity. His attempted cross into the penalty area took an unexpected trajectory and sailed past the Mariners City FC goalkeeper into the net, sparking celebrations among the Starlets players and technical crew.
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‎The equaliser capped an impressive display of resilience and determination by the visitors, who maintained their unbeaten run after five matches, recording four victories and one draw to amass 13 points.
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‎Speaking after the encounter, Head Coach Gomo Onduku commended his players for their resilience, discipline and fighting spirit, particularly their response after going behind.
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‎He noted that the result reflected the team’s strong mentality and determination, while acknowledging the need to continue improving in certain areas as the technical crew intensifies preparations for subsequent matches.
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‎Bayelsa Starlets will next travel to Aba, Abia State, where they will face Triple VFR Football Academy on November 17, 2026, at the Enyimba International Stadium, as they aim to consolidate their position at the summit of the conference standings.

By Our Correspondent

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday said the Flamingos’ historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup signals victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Akpabio spoke while receiving the world champions at the National Assembly in Abuja, where he personally distributed the N100 million cash reward approved by the Senate for the players and their officials.

The Senate had at plenary on Tuesday passed a resolution to give N100 million to the victorious Flamingos and their officials.

“Perhaps, there is a special significance in the timing of your victory, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

“You brought this World Cup to us at this time, and we believe we have won the next election. For the President to receive you and welcome you in this manner means he will also receive a bigger trophy of re-election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.

He expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu, who recently hosted the victorious team, would secure re-election in 2027, describing the timing of the Flamingos’ triumph as significant for the ruling party.

Akpabio disclosed that the National Assembly had committed N100 million to reward the players for their outstanding performance, while acknowledging President Tinubu’s separate promise of N100 million bonds for each member of the victorious team.

He described the President’s bond initiative as an enduring form of financial support that would provide long-term benefits for the young footballers.

The Senate President said the Flamingos’ achievement was particularly significant because they recovered from their opening defeat to record six consecutive victories and emerge world champions.

“When you lost your first match, some of you could have become discouraged. But you demonstrated the Nigerian spirit. You refused to remain down, stood up and fought, winning the next six matches to become world champions. No champion stays down. A true champion gets up, fights again and wins,” he said.

Recalling Nigeria’s famous comeback victory in the Miracle of Dammam, Akpabio said the young footballers had demonstrated that setbacks should not define the destiny of individuals or nations.

He said the Flamingos’ triumph had restored smiles to Nigerians at a time when the country needed positive stories, after Nigeria’s failure to qualify for recent major international competitions, including the men’s FIFA World Cup and the Women’s World Cup, had dampened enthusiasm.

Akpabio urged the Nigeria Football Federation, the National Sports Commission and other relevant authorities to ensure that the victorious team remained together and received sustained technical, medical and educational support.

“Do not allow this team to scatter. These girls are still very young, and the sky is not their limit. Regular training camps should be organised for them. Qualified and experienced coaches should be provided, alongside proper medical care,” he said.

He also challenged the NFF and sports administrators to establish more football academies across the country to identify and nurture young talents, disclosing that he had established an academy where children as young as nine and 10 receive free education, scholarships and football training.

Beyond the financial rewards, Akpabio stressed the importance of education, urging the Federal Government to ensure that the educational opportunities promised to the players were fully implemented, and advising the footballers not to allow celebrations to distract them from their academic pursuits.

He said Nigerians across ethnic, religious and geographical divides had celebrated the Flamingos’ victory, demonstrating that sports remained a powerful instrument for national integration. “One Nigerian’s success is a triumph for all Nigerians,” he said

By George Mgbeleke

The Senate on Tuesday at plenary declared a donation of N100 million to Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.

The Senate President announced the donation while presiding over a motion moved by Sen. Abdul Ningi ( ADC Bauchi Central) on the need to congratulate the team on its achievement.

Ningi described the victory as historic, noting that the young players had achieved what several other Nigerian national teams had struggled to accomplish.

He said the team’s triumph was particularly remarkable, given the limited expectations surrounding the players before the competition.

The senator expressed concern that the achievement had not received adequate publicity and national recognition, adding that the players deserved to be celebrated for bringing honour to Nigeria and Africa.

He also expressed concern that the team did not receive sufficient official recognition upon its arrival in the country.

Seconding the motion,
Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North) commended the team for defeating Japan in the final, describing the victory as evidence of the potential and determination of Nigerian youths.

Oshiomhole urged Nigerians to appreciate the country’s achievements rather than constantly focus on its challenges.

He also appealed to the Senate leadership to make a donation to the team to support the players’ educational needs alongside their sporting careers.

The Senate thereafter adopted Ningi’s prayers congratulating President Bola Tinubu for his support for sports development, Nigerians on the historic victory, and the leadership of the National Sports Commission, particularly its Chairman, Shehu Dikko.

It also urged the federal government to provide adequate compensation and rewards for the players in recognition of their achievement.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, said the victory was a significant achievement for Nigeria and Africa, particularly as the Flamingos defeated football nations, including Brazil and Japan.

Akpabio urged the federal government to adequately reward the players and called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to sustain the team and continue developing the players for future competitions.

The Senate President also appealed to wealthy and sports-loving Nigerians to support the players and encourage other young people to participate in sports.

He noted that the N100 million donation by the National Assembly was intended to recognise the players’ achievement and encourage them to continue bringing honour to the country.

“I want to commend the Flamingos, the Under-17 youth team of Nigeria, for defeating major countries such as Brazil and Japan to win the Under-17 World Cup for Africa for the first time and for Nigeria.

“We also urged, and we pray that the federal government will recognise these children accordingly and give them adequate rewards.

“The Nigerian Football Federation, under its leadership, should see the need to keep these children together and develop them further,” Akpabio said.

He congratulated the players, the Senate Committee on Sports and all Nigerians on the historic victory.