Flamingos plan compact approach for North Korea clash as Busari hints at changes

Nigeria head coach Akeem Busari says the Flamingos will use a compact mid-block to restrict North Korea’s attacking threat in their decisive FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup group match.

Busari also indicated that Nigeria could make one or two changes to their starting line-up, although he did not reveal the players involved.

The Flamingos have three points from their first two matches. They began with a 2-1 defeat by Poland before responding with a 2-0 win against Puerto Rico.

Their next opponents, the defending champions, have made a strong start to the tournament, scoring 12 goals and conceding only once in their opening two games.

“Looking at the strength of North Korea, I think they have played two games, scored twelve goals and conceded only one. That shows the level of how brilliant they are in front of goal,” Busari said.

Nigeria’s plan is to reduce the space available to North Korea and put more players behind the ball, while ensuring they do not surrender control of the game.

“We would try to come compact, slow them down, and put more men behind the ball but we don’t sit back,” he added.

Busari said his players would need to combine defensive discipline with greater aggression and avoid giving the ball away in dangerous areas, both in their own half and further forward.

“We would let the lads see that it is a game that requires more aggression, tense of the compact always, and try not to lose our balls to them majorly in our and opposition half.”

He believes Nigeria must raise their performance level to compete with a side of North Korea’s quality.

“When you are playing a quality game like that you have to raise your game as well. It is going to be a keenly contested and quality affair,” he said.

The coach explained that the Flamingos would rely on coordinated movement within their mid-block to close passing lanes and frustrate North Korea’s attacking play, while still looking to express themselves in possession.

“We have to move in terms of the chain shell in mid block and the space will be a little bit locked low and then we would be able to show our character.”

Busari declined to disclose the specific changes he may make, saying the team’s approach would be adapted to counter what they have seen from the defending champions.

“I may not really want to disclose my arsenal now but there are going to be one or two. Nevertheless, it is just going to be a trend of approach to see what we have seen them do and come out with our own format to counter it,” he said.

Although Nigeria will respect their opponents, Busari is confident they can compete if they carry out their plan effectively.

“We respect them and I knew they respect us too because they were watching the second game. So we would give a value for what they do. They are the defending champions,” he said.

He identified the Flamingos’ attitude, their readiness and their ability to take their chances as key factors in deciding the match.

“It is about our attitude, readiness of players, and taking our chances,” he concluded.

Qualification for the knockout phase is at stake, with Nigeria needing a positive result to strengthen their prospects of reaching the next round.