U17 WWC: Flamingos hit Mumbai in high spirit to break quarterfinal jinx against USA

Nigeria’s U17 Women’s team arrived in Mumbai for their quarterfinal clash with USA in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India on Wednesday.

Goals from Favour Emmanuel and Bisola Mosaku gave the Nigerians’ victory over Chile in their last group game and guaranteed them a place in the quarterfinals, setting up a thrilling tie with USA.

The West Africans bounced back from a 2-1 opening defeat at the hands of Germany to a convincing 4-0 victory over New Zealand in their second Group B encounter.

After their a 2-1 victory against Chile, the team were offered a congratulatory cake for making it to the next stage by staff of the Vivanta Hotel.

In his post match reactions, head coach, Olowookere Bankole expressed joy over leading his wards past the group stages and is focused on seeing off their Americans to make history in the competition.

“As a coach I have achieved, but as a nation, it’s not yet the end of the journey because the best we have ever achieved is the quarter finals,” Olowookere told media.

“I am here in the World Cup to cause a lot of upsets and create a lot of records, so, if I have gotten to the Quarter finals as a coach I have achieved something in my career but as a nation, no.

“We need to work hard for Nigeria to get to the next stage, if we get to the semi finals we have outdone what has been done in the times past.

“So, there are two things I need to do; I have done one for my self and can do more for my self and for my nation it’s getting them to the semi final stages and other stages.”

The Flamingoes will be up against the free scoring Americans on Friday afternoon at 12pm at D.Y. Patil Stadium, with the winner of that tie heading to the semifinals of the competition.