Former Super Eagles captain and head coach Sunday Oliseh has celebrated Nigeria’s historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup triumph, declaring that the Flamingos’ remarkable achievement has proved that the country still possesses exceptional football talent, while warning the Nigeria Football Federation against restricting the development of the victorious youngsters, Sports247.ng reports.

Oliseh expressed particular satisfaction that many members of the World Cup-winning squad emerged from Nigeria’s domestic football system, describing their success as a powerful response to those who have repeatedly questioned the quality of home-based players.

The former Nigerian international insisted that the Flamingos’ achievement must become a turning point for grassroots football development rather than merely another moment of national celebration.

“Those who say, ‘Sunday, they always shout home-based, home-based.’ No, no, no. See them now, these ones are home-based. So we still get quality. Our country is not dead,” Oliseh declared.

The former Borussia Dortmund and Juventus midfielder stressed that the players’ achievement should receive sustained publicity to inspire other talented youngsters across the country.

“The multiplier effect now is like, it has to be publicised. For those who are following, let’s let them know what these girls have done. They’ve shown talent,” he explained.

However, Oliseh warned that Nigeria must avoid making the mistake of concentrating exclusively on the victorious squad without creating opportunities for other promising players.

According to him, keeping the World Cup winners together is important, but the NFF must simultaneously strengthen the team by introducing fresh talents.

“You can’t say, ‘Let’s keep them together.’ No. You have to try to keep them together, but you have to now integrate more, more,” he stated.

“If you keep them together, you create an elitist group. Keep them together, but you have to add more.”

Oliseh believes this approach would allow the achievements and experience of the World Cup champions to positively influence other emerging players, creating a stronger foundation for Nigeria’s future women’s national teams.

The former Super Eagles captain also emphasised that developing a successful football structure should involve more than celebrating one generation of players.

For Oliseh, the challenge is ensuring that Nigeria builds on the Flamingos’ achievement by identifying additional talents and creating a pathway for their progression through the national-team system.

Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in the final in Morocco, becoming the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

While Nigerians continue celebrating the historic achievement, Oliseh’s message to football administrators is unmistakable: preserve the winning foundation, open the door to new talents and ensure that the Flamingos’ success becomes the beginning of something even greater.