Aiming for a major victory versus Algeria, Flamingos

According to Furuci update, Bankole Olowookere, coach of the Nigerian U-17 women’s national team, stated that his team’s objective for Saturday’s (today) first leg match against Algeria in Ikenne, Nigeria, will be a resounding triumph. The match is the last chance for the national team to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The Flamingos are hoping to capitalize on Nigeria’s big favorite status by securing a decisive victory in this match before next week’s return leg in Algeria. The Flamingos’ coach, Olowookere, has admonished his team to crush the North Africans.

“The road to Morocco 2025 is almost complete, and we want to securing a big win at home to reduce the pressure of the return leg,” Olowookere told thenff.com ahead of the encounter.

“We have been putting in a lot of time and effort to fix the mistakes we made in our last match against South Africa. We’re confident in our ability to win this match and give it our best in the second leg in Algeria.”

Since 2008, seven out of eight U-17 Women’s World Cup tournaments have been attended by the Flamingos, making them the most successful U-17 side from Africa.

Olowookere guided the squad to their best-ever tournament finish in 2022, when they took home bronze in India. This was the best result for both Nigeria and Africa.

They had previously advanced five times to the quarterfinals. Harmony Chidi, Shakirat Moshood, and Aishat Animashaun are goal machines, and the coach is hoping to make history with this new group of players.

We need to stay grounded, work harder, strengthen our bonds, and aspire higher. Our goal is to represent Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup in Morocco, so we must select the winning ticket.

On April 25, the match will be played at Blida’s Stade Mustapha Tchaker. The winner of the aggregate will be awarded a trip to Morocco in 2025.

With the expansion to 24 nations, five African countries (including host Morocco) will compete in this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will take place from October 17–November 8.