U17WWC: Former Falconets coach predicts Flamingos exit against USA

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Former National U-20 Women’s coach, Peter Dedevbo says this may just be the end of the road for the Flamingos at the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria started its campaign with a 2-1 loss to Germany before recording 4-0 and 2-1 victories over New Zealand and Chile respectively. They have scored seven goals and conceded two in its three group games.

They will face off in the quarterfinals with USA, who has scored 13 goals and only conceded a goal during its 1-1 draw with Brazil. And the former Delta Queens manager believes the Americans are destined to carry the day in Mumbai.

“The USA is a high-scoring side while the Nigerian team is a low-scoring side. Both sides have played well at the tournament so far. I don’t want to be so patriotic,” Dedevbo in a monitored interview by nigeriafootball.net on Brila FM this week.

“USA will have the upper hand above our girls because our girls don’t score goals. That is my fear for the Nigerian team.”

Meanwhile, the Flamingos duo of Folorunsho Comfort and Opeyemi Ajakaye are confident of victory against the USA.

“We only have a winning mentality in our mind. It won’t be an easy game as the USA is a big team but we are determined to win the game.” Folorunsho Comfort told NFFTV ahead of the game after the team’s final training sessions.

The team’s top goal scorer during the Qualifiers, Opeyemi Ajakaye also tolled the same line with her teammates.

“USA is big by name but the round leather ball will decide the result of the game. We will get to the field and do our best to win the game as we are confident of victory.”

The winner of the quarter-final clash between Nigeria and USA will face either Colombia or Tanzania in the semi-final.