National Teams
U17 WWC: Mercy Akide-Udoh leads anti-racism campaign with Flamingos in Morocco
By Oluwadamilola Olaleye
Former Nigeria captain and FIFA legend Mercy Akide-Udoh is spearheading efforts to promote anti-racism awareness ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, holding a special session with Nigeria’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, in Morocco.
The session took place on Friday, just two days before Nigeria’s opening match against Canada, and focused on educating the players on issues of racism, discrimination, and respect in global football.
Akide-Udoh, who currently serves as a FIFA Ambassador for the Women’s Game, shared her personal experiences as a player, offering guidance and motivation to the young athletes as they prepare to represent Nigeria on the world stage.
“Racism is still a challenge in football and society. But as young leaders and athletes, you have the power to fight it by standing together and promoting respect,” Akide-Udoh told the team during the session.
She emphasized the importance of unity and equality both on and off the pitch, encouraging the players to lead by example during the tournament and in their careers beyond.
Akide-Udoh is in Morocco as part of her role with the FIFA Players’ Voice Panel, a 16-member advisory group composed of former international male and female footballers from all six FIFA confederations.
The panel advises on anti-racism policy, leads global educational campaigns, and monitors progress on diversity and inclusion initiatives within football.
As part of her engagement with the team, she is expected to revisit the Flamingos before their opening game on Sunday, reinforcing FIFA’s broader commitment to educating and empowering young players on social issues.
The initiative aligns with FIFA’s continued efforts to combat racism through education and representation at major tournaments, with figures like Akide-Udoh playing a key role in shaping inclusive values for the next generation of global footballers.
