Crunch Time; As Flamingos Approaches German Die Nationalelf Today - Olowookeere Optimistic Ahead Of Tie.

Nigeria National Women U-17 Team, Flamingos Head Coach, Bankole Olowookeere has admitted that his players are in good shape as the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup kicks off in India this week.

The Flamingos will face the German Die Nationalef team on Tuesday, a game they will seek to win, starting their campaign brightly in the process.

Bankole Olowookeere acknowledges as the team approaches crunch time ahead of their Tuesday opening encounter. 

“We’ve done a lot to cover some gaps that were spotted during the African qualifiers. We’ve also been able to work up to the international standard, going to the World Cup, which is different from playing in the qualifiers, we just try to raise our game”.

"The Turkish exposure was really good for the girls, they are young and the experience gave the team a different kind of mentality, which will help at the World Cup. 

"As a Grassroots Coach, I have known some of these girls for a very long time. I know their Mentality, and together with the technical Crew, will work together to pick the right players. We need to do better, this is the world cup, we have to get a good result. 

"Nobody gave us any task, but we need to task ourselves and make everyone proud."

ᴏʟᴏᴡᴏᴏᴋᴇᴇʀᴇ ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ғᴜʟʟʏ ғɪᴛ sǫᴜᴀᴅ

Bankole Olowookeere has all of his players at his disposal and that's a big advantage to him. After the victory against Galatasaray Ladies, the Grassroot Tactician used some of the fringed players against Fenerbache Ladies, as he continues to boost the confidence of the whole squad. 

 ғɪʀɪɴɢ ʟɪɴᴇ.

Opeyemi Ajakaiye was top scorer during the Qualifiers, scoring six goals in all, while Aminat Bello is also in top form going into the game, against the Germans. Prolific goalscorer Etim Edidiong, has also joined the team, giving Olowookeere alot of options upfront.

ғʟᴀᴍɪɴɢᴏs ʟᴀsᴛ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ ᴏᴜᴛɪɴɢs ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪғᴀ ᴜ-17 ᴡᴡᴄ.

The Flamingos crashed out at the Quarter Finals to Spain in Costa Rica 2014, while crashing in the first round two years after in Jordan. The 2016 Star-studded Flamingos that had the likes of Rasheedat Ajibade, Chindinma Okeke, Maryann Ezeanagu, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Brume Ikhekua and others failed to register a goal throughout the tournament. The team however failed to qualify for the 2018 Edition in Uruguay, falling to the Cameroonian team in Benin.

Match details:

Competition: FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, India 2022

Date: October 11, 2022

Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa.

Kickoff time: 3:30 pm (Nigerian time)