Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle Sports Facilities and Construction Limited, Ebi Egbe, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, on their historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup triumph, crediting quality playing facilities for their success.
The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in the final to become the first Nigerian team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Egbe described the achievement as a product of proper planning, adequate preparation and quality football infrastructure, insisting that success at the highest level was not accidental but required the right environment for players to develop their talents.
He particularly highlighted the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, constructed by his company, as an important facility in the team’s preparation, arguing that training on a quality playing surface helped the players adapt to the demands of international football.
According to him, football is a scientific game in which the quality of playing surfaces plays a crucial role in technical development, tactical execution and overall performance.
“Flamingos won because the quality of the Remo Stars Stadium pitch matches the standard of the surface they played on in Morocco. It allowed the girls to express themselves freely on the field without struggling with the playing surface.
“The pitch encouraged smooth ball circulation, accurate passing, quick transitions, tempo control and effective movement. It also supported balance, stability, agility, quick changes of direction and the execution of tactical instructions,” Egbe said.
He added that regular exposure to quality pitches improves players’ confidence, ball control and technical ability, enabling them to compete effectively against the best teams in the world.
The Monimichelle boss stressed that modern football pitches must provide consistent ball roll and bounce, effective drainage, safe footing, adequate shock absorption, uniform grass coverage and appropriate playing dimensions to support fast and technically sound football.
Egbe also commended the National Sports Commission (NSC), under the leadership of its Chairman, Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Bukola Olopade, for their efforts to reposition Nigerian sports and provide an enabling environment for athletes to excel.
However, he urged the sports authorities to sustain the momentum by prioritising the construction, renovation and maintenance of world-class football facilities across the country.
He maintained that the Flamingos’ triumph demonstrated that talent alone was insufficient to achieve international success, stressing the need for proper preparation, modern infrastructure, quality coaching and effective sports administration.
Egbe further called for greater investment in playing surfaces, arguing that quality pitches should be treated as a fundamental requirement for football development rather than an afterthought.
He said the Flamingos’ historic achievement had reinforced the belief that Nigerian athletes could compete successfully on the global stage when provided with the right facilities, preparation and support.