Flamingos coach Bankole Olowookere recounts U17WWC third place triumph

The coach of Nigeria’s Flamingos, Bankole Olowookere has recounted the dramatic third-place match triumph following his side’s 3-2 shootout victory over Germany in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.

For the first time in Nigeria’s history at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the country had its first podium finish through penalties over Germans to seal a bronze medal despite squadering a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 in regulation.

“I am very grateful for the victory as this was what we needed to do before traveling back home and we got it in the last moment,” elated Olowookere told NFFTV.

“We knew that our opponents are a very good side and they gave us a good fight. It’s really good a type of final like this. After conceding the equaliser in the last minutes of the game, I still envisage that the team can still score the winning goal even during the additional minutes.”

Substitutes Blessing Sunday and Edidiong Etim, and Player-of-the-Match Opeyemi Ajakaye scored from the spot for Nigeria. Defender Tumininu Adeshina missed but it did not matter as Pauliner Bartz missed a crucial kick for Germany.

“Then when it was clear that the game will end up in penalties, I have the confidence that with the third penalty that we will be playing in this tournament we will get it right and the result came,” he continued.

“I want to appreciate Nigerians for supporting us throughout the tournament despite knowing that the players are young ladies that are just coming up. I appreciate Nigerians for standing in the gap for us in prayers and goodwill messages. We will not let them down and will continue to do Nigeria proud.”

Nigeria and Germany started the competition playing against each other, with the Germans coming back from a goal down to win 2-1 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa.

The victory made it a joyous Sunday for Nigeria, and history-making Coach Olowookere said: “I am a very happy man that we did not leave India empty-handed. It has been a great tournament with a lot of lessons learnt. We give God the glory.”