Olowookere confident as Flamingos face Bantwana
Head coach of Nigeria’s women’s U-17 national team, Bankole Olowookere, has said that the Flamingos will not leave anything to chance as they take on their South African counterparts in a FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifying match in Ikenne-Remo on Saturday (today).
Nigeria hold a 3-1 advantage from the first leg of the match which was played in Pretoria last weekend and they are poised to finish the job in style at home to advance to the next round of the qualifying series.
“We are very much aware of the fact that it is never over until it is over. It would be foolish to assume otherwise. Yes, we won 3-1 away in South Africa, but the contest is still alive. That is our mentality. That has been at the heart of our preparations since we returned from Pretoria,” Olowookere said.
“My assistants and I have been working on the team’s mental strength while drumming it into the ears of the girls that focus is key. No loss of concentration is allowed. Our objective is to win on Saturday and make sure of a place in the final qualifying round.”
Shakirat Moshood scored once and Harmony Chidi netted a brace to earn Nigeria a 3-1 win in Pretoria last weekend, putting the Flamingos in a seemingly comfortable position.
Meanwhile, Olowookere’s South African counterpart, Ntombifuthi Khumalo is optimistic of Bantwana’s chance.
“It’s not going to be an easy game for us. We have to climb a mountain after the loss at home. The good thing is we don’t have injuries and the girls are positive. We need to try our best to come back because the race is still on. It’s on us to come out strong in this second leg,” Khumalo told Ademola Victor TV.
The winner of the fixture between Nigeria and South Africa will confront the winner of the fixture between Botswana and Algeria in the final qualification round, set for next month. Botswana won the first leg at home 2-1.
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