Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has no doubts that Nigeria’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, will deliver another impressive performance when they face debutants Ecuador in their second Group A match at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
Softfootball gathered that victory for the Flamingos will put them in a strong position to secure qualification for the knockout stage after their commanding opening-day win over New Zealand.
“Our tournament strategy is to focus on the next match, take it one match at a time. We need not look farther than the next match, and now, we have Ecuador in our sights. The Ecuadorians have shown, with their defeat of the host nation, that they may be debutants but not a team to be taken for granted.
“The players have recovered well from their opening match victory over New Zealand and we are ready for Ecuador. We know that three points in that game will all but get us into the knock-out stage. It is an opportunity we will not allow to slip out of our hands.”
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The win on Wednesday took Nigeria to the top of the Group A table, where they remain ahead of Ecuador on goal difference after both sides secured victories in their opening fixtures.
Shakirat Moshood, Taiwo Adegoke, Faridat Abdulwahab and captain Taiwo Afolabi, who was named Player of the Match, scored in the emphatic victory over New Zealand and will be hoping to continue their fine form against the South Americans.
Top scorer during the qualifiers with 13 goals, Harmony Chidi will also be determined to open her account at the finals after being denied several times by the New Zealand defence in the opening game.
Saturday’s encounter will kick off at 4pm Dominican Republic time (9pm Nigeria) at the CFC Stadium, where the Flamingos will aim to maintain their winning momentum and edge closer to another memorable outing at the tournament.
