FIFA U-17 World Cup: Flamingos coach confident of victory over Ecuador
By Tosin Omojola
Head Coach of Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s team, the Flamingos, Bankole Olowookere, is optimistic that the Nigerian girls will secure another victory when they face debutants Ecuador on Saturday in their second Group A match at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
“Our tournament strategy is to focus on each match as it comes, one at a time. We need not look beyond the next game, and right now, Ecuador is in our sights. They showed, with their win over the host nation, that despite being debutants, they are not a team to be taken lightly.
“The players have recovered well from their opening match victory against New Zealand, and we are ready for Ecuador. We know that three points in this game will virtually secure our place in the knockout stage. It is an opportunity we won’t let slip from our hands.”
Wednesday’s win put Nigeria at the top of Group A, where they remain, ahead of Ecuador on goal difference. Ecuador earned a 2-0 win over the Dominican Republic.
Shakirat Moshood, Taiwo Adegoke, Faridat Abdulwahab, and captain Taiwo Afolabi (Player of the Match) scored the goals that handed the New Zealanders a heavy defeat. These players are expected to be key again against the South Americans.
Top scorer during the qualifying campaign with 13 goals, forward Harmony Chidi will be aiming to open her goal account in the finals. Despite being kept at bay by the New Zealand defense, the match against Ecuador offers her another chance to show her talent.
Saturday’s match will kick off at 4 p.m. Dominican Republic time (9 p.m. Nigeria), at the same CFC Stadium where the Flamingos dismantled New Zealand.
