FIFA U17 WWC: Flamingos coach set targets against USA after quarterfinal berth

After a second-place finish in Group B of India 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup which ensured that Nigeria U-17 girls will meet Group A winners, United States of America (USA), coach of the Nigeria side, Bankole Olowookere says he has achieved something great for his career but still intends to defeat the Americans in the quarter-final.

The Flamingos succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Germany in their opening encounter before recording back-to-back 4-0 and 2-1 victories over New Zealand and Chile respectively to advance to the last eight of the tournament.

“I have achieved something as a coach for my career guiding the team to the quarterly final but as a nation, we haven’t achieved anything,” Coach Olowookere said in a monitored interview by nigeriafootball.ng on NFFTV.

“Our best performance in this tournament as a country is the quarter-final finish. I can do more by making sure that the team gets to the semi-final.”

Nigeria’s progression to the quarterfinal marks the West African nation’s fourth appearance at this stage of the competition and the tactician is confident of defeating USA to break the semi-final jinx.

He said: “Either USA or Brazil, they are superpowers. I work on defeating any of them. If I defeat them, it’s a record for me but if they defeat us, it’s not news. In football it’s either you win, lose, or draw but I am going for a win not by talking but by working.

“To see where we need to improve especially the loopholes.  I am confident that by the time I finish working on the girls, we will be able to defeat either Brazil or USA.”

Olowookere, who doubles as the Naija Ratels FC gaffer, thanked Nigerians back home for their support and urged them to continue their support in all spheres ahead of the quarter-final game.

“I want to thank Nigerian wherever they are now, they are jubilating after leaving their work and important engagements to watch us. It means we are important to them,” he continued.

“I want to thank them and urge them to keep on supporting us. I promise them that we are not going to disappoint them and will continue to make them proud. Going into the quarter-final, we need their support both spiritually and otherwise.”

The game with the United States of America will take place on Friday and a win for Nigeria will confirm a semi-final berth for the West African side for the first time in the history of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.