By Onyekachi Chimezie
Nigeria U-17 women team head coach Olowookere Bankole, has stated that Flamingos determination was the root cause for his team’s victory over New Zealand at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in India.
The Flamingos came out on top against New Zealand 4-0 in the second game of their Group B encounter on Friday afternoon.
Head coach of the side Olowookere Bankole, spoke with the media immediately after the match in Goa and said that determination was the turning point for the team after they lost 2-1 to Germany in the tournament’s opener on Tuesday.
“Determination, ” he said when asked what was changed from the Germany game. “We put the loss against Germany behind us so we try to put in more determination,” Coach Bankole told NFF TV.
Despite the team trashing their opponent at the Fatorda Stadium, Flamingos were wasteful in front of goal with coach Olowookere Bankole insisting that he is not scared of the team’s missed chances.
“I am not worried, watching when we are qualifying for the world cup from the African qualifications these are things that happen. Anytime we remember that these are young girls coming up it’s part of the development, those things are always physical in the team in the game of their age so the missing of chances. What is important is that they can create chances which is the most important thing.
The Flamingos will travel to Bhubaneswar City today, a place where they will play their last group game against Chile with coach Bankole further noting that the team will not change their style of play.
“The same way we approached the German team, the same way we approached New Zealand is the same way we want to approach the Chileans.
“It is just unfortunate that the one against Germany turned out the way it did. But this one against Chile we’ll have to be a bit careful because a step forward is the quarter-finals while a step behind we are out of the tournament so we have to be very mindful of that and then we approach the game with caution but more focus and determined mind,” coach Olowookere Bankole concluded.
Chile, who is participating in the U-17 FIFA women’s world cup for the first time ever, defeated New Zealand 3-1 in their debut match and lost to Germany 6-0 in the team’s second game in India will face Nigeria on Monday night with the Flamingos needing just a draw to see them through to the quarter-finals.
