In an exhilarating start to their World Cup journey, Taiwo Afolabi, captain of the Flamingos, shone brightly as her team secured a memorable victory against New Zealand.
The match marked a historic moment for the girls, showcasing their resilience and skill on an international stage.
Afolabi expressed her pride in her teammates, emphasizing how their performance reflected hard work and determination.
“It was a good game from the girls. It is their first World Cup participation, and they came out and played like that. It was a good game for me,” she stated.
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Addressing the defensive mistake that led to New Zealand’s lone goal, Afolabi acknowledged the need for improvement.
“Mistakes are bound to happen. That mistake was from the defence. We will return to our drawing board and work on our mistakes,” she said, showing the team’s commitment to learning and growing from their experiences.
Winning the Player of the Match award was a significant highlight for Afolabi, who credited her teammate Adegoke Taiwo for the assist.
“I feel grateful; I feel good for that goal of winning the man of the match award, all thanks to Adegoke Taiwo for the assist.”” she said.
Her message to Nigerians was one of hope and encouragement, urging them to continue supporting the team as they aim to showcase their talents on the global stage.
Finally, Afolabi spoke about the team’s unique celebration, a tradition they continued from their performance in India 2022.
“We did that in India 2022, which made us stand out from other countries that participated in the competition. We just want to continue the trend,” she concluded, showcasing the team’s spirit and identity as they embark on this World Cup journey.
