The Akwa Ibom State Football Association has congratulated its daughter, Mary Dunstan Akpan, and Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The Flamingos made history by becoming the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final.
Mary Dunstan Akpan, who hails from Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was among the players who played important roles in Nigeria’s successful campaign.
The Akwa Ibom-born midfielder scored Nigeria’s second goal in a 2-1 victory over Mexico in the Round of 16, helping the team advance to the quarter-finals.
Reacting to the achievement, Akwa Ibom State Football Association Chairman, Mr Samuel Umoh, said the FA and people of the state watched Mary’s performances with great pride.
“We watched with pride as our beloved daughter, Mary Dunstan Akpan, excelled in Nigerian colours on the world stage. Her goal against Mexico brought us even greater joy, as she made an important contribution to this historic triumph. She has made Akwa Ibom State proud, and we celebrate her achievement,” Umoh said.
The FA Chairman also congratulated the entire Flamingos team, praising their determination, commitment and quality of football throughout the competition.
“The Flamingos deserve every bit of this celebration. They showed great commitment, determination and played beautiful football with passion. Their hard work has now brought joy to the entire nation, and we are proud of what they have achieved,” he added.
Umoh described the team’s victory as a major moment for Nigerian women’s football and expressed hope that Mary’s achievement would inspire more young girls in Akwa Ibom State to pursue their dreams in football.
The Akwa Ibom State Football Association remains committed to developing female football and creating opportunities for young girls across the state to discover and showcase their talents. This commitment is reflected in initiatives such as the maiden edition of the ARISE Queen’s Cup, which provided a platform for young female footballers to compete, gain experience and attract attention. The FA believes that sustained investment in grassroots competitions, talent discovery and development will help produce more players like Mary Dunstan Akpan who can represent Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria with pride on the international stage.
The Akwa Ibom State Football Association also extends its congratulations to other indigenes of the state who were part of the Flamingos’ backroom staff during the tournament. They include Arit Robert Effiong, who served as Team Secretary, and Charity Etim Godwin, the team’s Physiotherapist. The FA commends their contributions to the team’s successful campaign and celebrates their role in making Akwa Ibom State proud on the international stage.
The Flamingos have since returned to Nigeria with the trophy following their historic triumph in Morocco, which marks a major milestone for African women’s football.
