Flamingos star Umejiaku reveals mother was first thought after World Cup reward

Nigeria U-17 forward Oluebube Umejiaku says her mother was the first person she thought about after the Flamingos won the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and were promised a financial reward by President Bola Tinubu.

Umejiaku spoke about the team’s success during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday. She also revealed that the adidas Golden Ball she won in Morocco was the first individual award of her career.

The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup triumph was a historic achievement for the Flamingos, while the squad’s subsequent invitation to the State House provided another memorable moment for the players.

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu hosted the team on behalf of the President. Umejiaku said meeting the country’s leaders had been a significant occasion for the squad, although President Bola Tinubu was not present when they arrived.

“It was a great honour because everybody wanted to meet the President. We were very happy; we wanted to meet the President,” she said.

“When we got there, the President was not around; we were happy to meet the First Lady.”

Umejiaku said the adidas Golden Ball held particular significance because it represented her first personal honour in football.

“I feel very excited, and I give God all the glory because every day, I pray for it. That was my first award in life,” she said.

The forward was also asked about her immediate reaction when the President announced the cash reward for the World Cup winners.

Her response focused on the benefit she hoped the money would provide for her family.

“I was thinking about my mother; normally, I know that I don’t have access to the money,” Umejiaku said.

The young player added that she intends to use the next stage of her career to build a future for herself, while targeting progression to Nigeria’s senior women’s side and a move to clubs outside the country.

Umejiaku said her ambitions extend beyond the success already achieved with the Flamingos.

“By the special grace of God, I will like to see myself play for the Super Falcons and play for international clubs,” the striker said.

“I will like to go far in life.”