KEY POINTS

• Flamingos coach Bankole Olowookere confident in team’s readiness for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
• Nigeria’s U-17 team aims to surpass their bronze medal win from the 2022 World Cup.
• The Flamingos are in Group A alongside Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and New Zealand.

Bankole Olowookere, the head coach of Nigeria’s Under-17 female football team, the Flamingos, has expressed confidence in the team’s chances of excelling at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in the Dominican Republic.

Flamingos Ready for World Cup Challenge

Olowookere revealed that the team had settled well in Santo Domingo after arriving on Thursday and had already started intense training.

“We began training on Friday, which shows the readiness of the team,” he said. The coach emphasized that getting the players used to the local environment before the tournament kicks off is crucial to their success.

The Flamingos will participate in a series of warm-up games to help them acclimate to the competition.

“The players, from goalkeepers to attackers, have been training well. We will surpass our previous achievements at the last edition of the championship,” Olowookere added.

Preparation and Support Key to Success

The Flamingos are set to surpass their performance at the 2022 World Cup in India, where they won their first-ever bronze medal after defeating Germany in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Olowookere also highlighted the critical support provided by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which he said has been pivotal in ensuring the team’s readiness.

With determination and discipline, Olowookere is optimistic that the team will perform admirably. According to Vanguard, he urged Nigerians to support the team with prayers, as they aim to bring home positive results.

“We are confident that with hard work, discipline, and focus, the girls will excel,” he said.

Tournament Outlook and Group A Draw

The Flamingos have been drawn into Group A, where they will face host nation Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and New Zealand.

The matches will take place in the cities of Santo Domingo and Santiago de los Caballeros. The coach noted that while the competition will be challenging, the team is fully prepared to make an impact.

The 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which is the eighth edition of the tournament, will conclude on November 3, 2024. The Flamingos aim to improve upon their past performance and make Nigeria proud on the global stage.