Nigeria’s Flamingos forward Harmony Chidi has expressed confidence that the team is fully prepared to challenge for the title at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Softfootball added that the Flamingos head into the tournament with high expectations after securing a historic third-place finish at the previous edition in India, with the players determined to go one step further this time.
The biennial competition gets underway in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, with Nigeria set to face New Zealand in their opening Group A fixture at the Santiago De Los Caballeros CFC Stadium. Hosts Dominican Republic and Ecuador complete the group.
“I believe the people that played last time made a name for themselves and made the coach proud. Now, we’re playing this time around,” Chidi told FIFA.com.
The one belief that I have in all of us is that we are going to make it count. Because looking at us, you see the spirit here. Even when [the goal] isn’t coming, you see the encouragement from one another.
The prolific striker insisted the Flamingos are aiming for the ultimate prize after settling for bronze two years ago.
Well, I believe my God. I believe the technical crew. I believe in my coach, Bankole Olowookere. I believe that we are going to reach the finals, and we are going to bring the medal back,
she said.
“The gold medal! Because we have already worked hard for this; we have made sacrifices for it. So we are going to just leave it for God to do the remaining.”
Chidi also praised head coach Bankole Olowookere for his attacking philosophy and tactical approach.
I love my coach so much. He is so tactical in his game. He is always happy seeing us doing the right thing, doing what he teaches us. He is a coach that likes goals, that likes forward play; attacking, attacking, attacking. Not backwards [play],
she added
