Following Nigeria’s 1-1 friendly draw against Mexico in preparation for the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Flamingos coach Bankole Olowookere has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for the tournament.
In a recent interview, Olowookere described the Mexico match as a valuable experience for his squad.
“The match against Mexico is just an eye-opener and a glimpse of what we should expect at the World Cup.
It was a tough game, a very tough one. Their play was similar to our African style of football — a bit robust — which is good.”
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Reflecting on the benefits of the friendly, Olowookere emphasized how it helped build confidence within his team.
“It has gotten us ready, above half ready, I would say. The inferiority complex has been taken away, and fear has been taken away. Now, we’re just waiting for the World Cup proper.”
He also mentioned how his experience from the previous World Cup has helped him prepare his players mentally and tactically for the competition.
“I have shared my experiences from the last World Cup with the girls, and now we are just waiting for the World Cup proper to start.”
With the tournament fast approaching, Olowookere is optimistic about his team’s chances and believes they have what it takes to perform at the highest level.
