Coach Bankole Olowookere, flamingos head coach is gearing up for the Under-17 World Cup after securing a ticket to the tournament.
He acknowledges the difference between playing qualifiers in Africa and competing on the world stage, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation.
“It’s a work in progress,” Coach Olowookere stated. “Playing a qualifier from Africa is different from playing at the World Cup.
The preparation mark of a good result is hard work. We need to train very well to meet world standards if we want to win the World Cup,” He told Sports 247.
The coach laid out the importance of understanding their opponents and not underestimating any team.
“There is no easy group. All teams have become champions in their respective continents. We don’t judge them by their name, but we take every opponent seriously and work against them.”
Looking ahead, Coach Olowookere aims to advance beyond the group stages and make a significant impact.
“Our goal is to qualify from the group stage and progress through the knockout stages. We want to ensure we are up to the task and capable of winning the trophy.”
Reflecting on his past World Cup experience, Coach Olowookere shared his aspirations for the upcoming tournament.
“I introduced something unique in the last World Cup, and people recognized me for it. This time, I want to re-establish myself in the world of football. I pray for success and hope to make my mark globally, just like well-known coaches.”
With preparations underway, Coach Olowookere and his team are focused on achieving excellence and representing Nigeria with pride on the world stage.
