Flamingos determined to finish strong against South Africa – Coach Olowookere
Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has assured that Nigeria’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, will not take their foot off the pedal as they face South Africa in a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match in Ikenne-Remo on Saturday.
“We are very much aware that it is never over until it is over. It would be foolish to assume otherwise. Yes, we won 3-1 away in South Africa, but the contest is still alive. That is our mentality, and it has been at the heart of our preparations since we returned from Pretoria,” Olowookere said on Friday.
“My assistants and I have been working on the team’s mental strength, emphasizing that focus is key. No loss of concentration is allowed. Our objective is to win on Saturday and secure a place in the final qualifying round.”
Shakirat Moshood scored once, while Harmony Chidi netted a brace to give Nigeria a 3-1 victory in Pretoria last weekend—seemingly a comfortable position for a team hosting the return leg.
However, Côte d’Ivoire’s U-17 girls demonstrated that surprises are possible in football, hammering Burundi 3-0 away after losing the first leg 3-1 in Abidjan in the same qualifying series.
Olowookere added, “We are aware of what happened in the Côte d’Ivoire vs. Burundi match. It further underscores our insistence that this fixture is not over. There are still 90 minutes to play, and we must approach them with full commitment and mental strength.”
Match officials for Saturday’s encounter, scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. at the Remo Stars Stadium, arrived in Nigeria on Friday.
The winner between Nigeria and South Africa will face the winner of the Botswana vs. Algeria tie in the final qualification round next month. Botswana won the first leg 2-1 at home.
