Flamingos head coach Bankole Olowookere expressed his delight after Nigeria's U-17 women's team maintained a flawless group stage run at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Nigeriasoccernet.com writes.
With a third consecutive victory, the Flamingos showcased their strength and composure, sealing a 1-0 win over tournament hosts, the Dominican Republic, in a tightly contested match on Wednesday morning.
The lone goal came from Shakirat Moshood in the 89th minute, securing Nigeria’s place at the top of Group A with a perfect nine points from three games.
Reflecting on the team's performance, Olowookere praised the determination and resilience of his players. “I’m so happy, I’m happy for myself, happy for the team and happy for the whole of Nigeria,” he told FIFA.com.
Olowookere explained that managing the squad’s energy was a key focus in the match. “We knew in this match we had to manage our energy and strength; these are young girls with many games to play so we had to take it easy.”
Despite the close scoreline, Nigeria controlled large portions of the game and remained disciplined in defense, ensuring that the Dominican Republic could not find an equalizer.
Looking ahead, Nigeria now faces a tough challenge in the quarter-finals, where they will meet the United States, a formidable opponent, on Saturday night. With the Flamingos brimming with confidence after their group stage success, the clash against the USA promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for a spot in the semi-finals.
Oluwayemi Omolagba