According to a report from The Punch, the Anambra Government, on Tuesday, formally welcomed home a member of the FIFA U-17 Women World Cup-winning Nigerian Flamingos, Oluebube Umejiaku, who hails from the state.

It was a proud moment for Anambra, for Nigeria, and for African football. At just 16 years old, Umejiaku has already written her name in history.

Umejiaku is a Heartland Queens FC forward in the Nigeria Women's Football League Premiership. Before the World Cup in Morocco, she was known mainly to followers of the local league. Today, the whole world knows her name.

The Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Patrick Agha Mba, paid special tribute to the soccer starlet at a news conference in Awka. He said her success was not just a personal achievement, but a proud moment for Nigeria and Anambra in particular.

Umejiaku dazzled at the tournament in Morocco. She scored four goals and provided two assists, and was voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. She won the adidas Golden Ball award as the best player of the competition, ahead of Yu Jong-Hyang of Korea DPR and Fuki Ito of Japan.

Her biggest moment came in the final. Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat on Saturday, November 7, to win their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup title and become the first African nation to win the tournament.

Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 39th minute. Then, just two minutes after half-time, Umejiaku scored the winning goal in the 47th minute, keeping her composure to chip the Japanese goalkeeper. Japan pulled one back through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, but Nigeria held on to make history.

FIFA described Umejiaku as an electric forward and the star of the show in the final. She started the tournament as a substitute in the opening 2-1 loss to Poland, but she grew into the tournament from the second game onwards. She was vital in every game as Nigeria recovered to beat Korea DPR, Mexico and others on their way to the trophy.

Umejiaku, who hails from Aguata in Anambra State, has already dedicated her Golden Ball award to the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo. She made the dedication in Abuja on Monday night in the presence of the Anambra State Football Association Chairman, Chikelue Iloenyosi, who had been sent to welcome her.

She is expected to formally present the award to Governor Soludo at the Government House in Awka.

From a young girl playing in the Nigeria Women's Football League to a World Cup winner and Golden Ball holder, Umejiaku's story is just beginning. Anambra has welcomed home a champion, and Nigeria has found a new superstar.