The Nigerian girls will kick off their World Cup challenge with a tough-looking clash against the Europeans
Nigeria u17 women’s national team coach Bankole Olowookere is convinced the coaching crew has the strategies to lead the Flamingoes to victory against Germany on Tuesday.
The Flamingoes take on the reigning European champions in their opening match of the 2022 FIFA u17 Women’s World Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, India.
Germany, record seven-time UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship winners, will start as favourites against the unpredictable West Africans.
Nigeria made it to the quarterfinals stage of the World Cup in 2010, 2012, and 2014 but the Flamingoes have not impressed in recent times.
The Flamingoes finished last of their group at Jordan 2016 and failed to qualify for Uruguay 2018, the last edition of the tournament.
Team coach Olowookere has, however, refused to focus on the unimpressive past. Instead, the tactician is targeting a winning start against the Germans.
Olowookere is confident that the strategies being put in place can help Nigeria defeat Die Nationalelf.
“Our focus is on getting the three points at stake, which will boost our confidence for the remaining games of the group phase and going forward in the competition,” Olowookere told the NFF media team.
“Playing a strong team at the beginning should not present any apprehension. It is an opportunity to start with your best team and best tactics, and be vigilant to utilize the opportunities and possibilities that present themselves within the 90 minutes.”
The clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao will be Nigeria’s first meeting with Germany at this level.
The kickoff time for the encounter is 3:30 pm Nigerian time.
