Nigeria’s U-17 women’s football head coach Bankole Olowookere has rallied his Flamingos squad after a second consecutive defeat at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The 1-0 loss to France leaves Nigeria’s qualification hopes in jeopardy.
Frustrating Defeat Against France
Despite a stronger performance than their opening loss to Canada, Nigeria conceded an 81st-minute goal to France’s Maissa Fathallah. The defeat leaves the Flamingos without any points in the group stage.
Coach’s Post-Match Reaction
“It’s extremely disappointing,” Olowookere admitted. “We must demonstrate resilience. Our immediate focus is working hard for the next match to keep our tournament hopes alive.”
The coach found encouragement in improved team performance. “This showing surpassed our Canada match. Had we displayed this determination earlier, our position would be better. Unfortunately, the late goal cost us.”
Must-Win Scenario Against Samoa
With a four-goal deficit, Nigeria faces a decisive final group match against Samoa. Olowookere emphasized the critical requirements. “We need three points plus significant goal improvement. We’ll prioritize securing victory first, then work on goal difference.”
The Flamingos must deliver a convincing win to have any chance of advancing to the knockout stages. Their tournament survival now hinges on this decisive performance.
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