BANKOLE Olowookere, the head coach of the Flamingos of Nigeria team that won FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup bronze in 2022, is eyeing President Federation Cup success with Naija Ratels of Abuja as they battle eight-time winners Rivers Angels in tomorrow’s women’s final in Lagos.
“We thank God for taking us this far in the competition. During the league’s regular season, we did not quite meet up with our own expectations,” Olowookere said as he previewed the final showdown at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
“However, our target at the beginning of the season also included doing well in the Cup, and now we are in the final.”
Although Olowookere admitted that Rivers Angels are the favourites to add to their glittering silverware collection, he insisted that his Naija Ratels are gunning for the Cup and are able to cause an upset.
“For sure, we are the distinct underdogs against Rivers Angels that have won this trophy eight times before now. But no team is unbeatable,” the Flamingos boss noted.
“We have a plan and a strategy to emerge champions on Saturday. We want to do this for our proprietor and for our supporters who have been with us through victory and defeat, through thick and thin. I can assure you that Naija Ratels are determined to make history.”
Olowookere led the Flamingos to win the bronze medal for the first time at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India two years ago and has also now qualified the team for this year’s finals to be staged in the Dominican Republic.
Naija Ratels are the first club from Abuja in 24 years to reach the women’s final of the Cup. In 2000, FCT Queens lost to the same Rivers Angels in the final.
