Nigeria’s U-17 girls’s coach, Bankole Olowookere, stays optimistic about his staff’s possibilities of advancing regardless of struggling consecutive defeats on the FIFA U-17 Ladies’s World Cup in Morocco.
The Flamingos fell 1–0 to France on Wednesday, their second lack of the match following an opening-day setback towards Canada.
The outcomes depart Nigeria third in Group D, with France and Canada sealing the 2 automated qualification spots after two rounds of matches.
Talking after the slim defeat, Olowookere expressed disappointment however maintained hope:
“It’s so disappointing, however all the pieces isn’t misplaced. We’re fairly near France, fairly near Canada. We simply have to get the women again on observe and see how they will come good within the final recreation to make the knockout stage.”
Nigeria will now face Samoa of their ultimate group recreation, the place solely a convincing victory can hold their qualification hopes alive.
Olowookere, nonetheless, believes that the Flamingos can nonetheless progress as top-of-the-line 4 third-placed groups throughout the six teams.
“Three factors can nonetheless be sufficient to undergo,” he famous. “We now have a purpose deficit of about 4, so we’ll goal for a giant win towards Samoa. First, we should get the three factors, then work on bettering our purpose distinction to face a greater likelihood.”
Reflecting on the staff’s efficiency, the coach highlighted noticeable progress regardless of the disappointing consequence.
“The sport we performed towards France was much better than the one towards Canada. If we had proven this sort of struggle earlier, I don’t suppose we’d be on this scenario. It’s unlucky that the late purpose got here in—it’s painful and a foul break for us.”
With one match left to play, the Flamingos should ship a commanding win over Samoa to remain in rivalry for a Spherical of 16 spot at Morocco 2025.
