Flamingos head coach Bankole Olowookere is confident his team will start off on a good note when they face Germany today in their opening match at the India 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The tournament begins today with a clash between Morocco and Brazil in Bhubaneswar, and will end on October 30 with the final in Mumbai.
Nigeria’s Flamingos are in Group B with Germany, Chile and New Zealand, and they will battle the Europeans at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao this afternoon from 3.30pm Nigerian time.
Olowookere is sure his girls know what they are up against Germany.
“We are excited to be starting the tournament by playing against one of the strongest women’s teams in the universe,” he said as he previewed the clash.
“It is a good challenge because if you’re going to win trophies, you must beat the best teams.
“Our focus is on getting the three points at stake, which will boost our confidence for the remaining games of the group phase and going forward in the competition.”
Nigeria crashed out in the group stage in their last appearance in 2016 after defeats to Brazil and eventual champions North Korea, but Olowookere is keen to avoid a repeat in India.
“Playing a strong team at the beginning should not present any apprehension,” he noted.
“It is an opportunity to start with your best team and best tactics, and be vigilant to utilise the opportunities and possibilities that present themselves within the 90 minutes.”
The Flamingos underwent a 10-day training camp in the Turkish city of Kocaeli, where they played friendlies against Fenerbahce Women and Galatasaray Women, and Olowokeere believes his girls are ready for the global challenge.
After their first match of the campaign against Germany in Goa on Tuesday, Nigeria will take on 2018 World Cup bronze medallists New Zealand on Friday, also in Goa (from 12 noon Nigerian time), before flying to Bhubaneswar to take on Chile on Monday (also from 12 noon).
Africa’s other representatives are Morocco and Tanzania.
Morocco play hosts India, USA and Brazil in Group A while Tanzania are up against Japan, Canada and France in Group D.
Champions Spain head Group C which also includes 2018 runners-up Mexico, Colombia and China.
