Seven months after his appointment attracted criticism, Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team coach, Busari Ishola Akeem, has answered his doubters in the biggest possible way, leading the Flamingos to their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title.
Akeem guided Nigeria to a historic 2-1 victory over Japan in Saturday’s final in Morocco, making the Flamingos the first African team to win the competition and Nigeria’s first women’s national team to capture a FIFA World Cup trophy.
His achievement marks a remarkable turnaround for a coach whose appointment in April 2026 generated heated reactions on social media.
At the time, Akeem was in charge of Pacesetter Queens of Ibadan, a club reportedly battling relegation in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL). His appointment by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), led by Ibrahim Gusau, raised questions among football followers who doubted whether he possessed the experience required to manage a national team.
But the former Pacesetter Queens tactician, who also served on the coaching staff of Shooting Stars Sports Club, has now delivered an achievement that has rewritten Nigeria’s history in women’s football.
Before conquering the world, Akeem demonstrated his tactical credentials by leading the Flamingos to the 2026 WAFU-B title, winning all five matches in the competition.
He subsequently guided the Nigerian youngsters past Brazil in the semi-finals before overcoming Japan in the final to secure the coveted world crown.
The triumph has transformed the narrative surrounding his appointment, with the coach emerging as the man who delivered Nigeria’s maiden FIFA women’s world title.
