Boluwatife Kehinde
The head coach of Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, Bankole Olowookere, is full of optimism ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, expressing confidence that the Flamingos are ready to make a strong impression on the global stage.
The team touched down in Casablanca, Morocco on Wednesday to begin the final phase of their preparations for the tournament, which is set to kick off later this month.
The players and coaching staff are in high spirits following an outstanding run of form in Abuja, where they played 10 friendly matches, winning all and scoring a staggering 44 goals without conceding a single one.
Coach Olowookere praised the team’s commitment and teamwork, noting that the unity within the squad is a major strength as they head into the competition.
“This group has shown great attitude and unity,” Olowookere told NFF “They understand what it means to represent Nigeria, and I believe they can achieve something special in Morocco.”
He added that while the competition will be tough, the Flamingos are mentally and physically prepared. The coach also stressed that their flawless pre-tournament performance in Abuja is a clear indication of their readiness to compete against the world’s best.
Drawn into Group D, Nigeria will face tough opposition in France, Canada, and Samoa. All three teams bring different challenges, but Olowookere remains confident that his team has the ability to rise to the occasion.
The Flamingos will begin their World Cup journey with a crucial opening match against Canada on Sunday, 19 October. A win in that fixture could set the tone for the rest of their campaign and boost their chances of progressing beyond the group stage.
With the team’s current momentum and the belief instilled by their coach, Nigerian fans will be hopeful of another impressive outing, following their third-place finish in the last edition of the tournament.
All eyes will be on the young Flamingos as they aim to fly high and make history once again on the global stage.
