Head Coach Bankole Olowookere is brimming with confidence as Nigeria’s U17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, prepare to face Algeria in the first leg of the final qualifying round for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025.
Speaking to thenff.com ahead of Saturday’s clash at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Olowookere stated that the Flamingos are fully focused on securing a high-margin victory at home to ease the pressure going into the decisive second leg on April 25 in Blida, Algeria.
Coach Olowookere: “We Are Ready for a Handsome Win”
“We have been working very hard to correct the lapses noticed in our last matches against South Africa,” said Coach Bankole Olowookere. “We believe we are in good form to achieve a handsome win here and then go all out in the second leg in Algeria.”
The coach emphasized the importance of starting strong at home, highlighting the advantage of playing the opening leg in familiar territory.
Momentum From South Africa Victory
The Flamingos head into this match on the back of an impressive 5-1 aggregate win over South Africa, including a solid 2-0 result at the same Ikenne venue. That performance has boosted morale and raised expectations for a similarly dominant showing against Algeria.
Read More: Flamingos Thrash South Africa in U17 World Cup Qualifier
⚠️ Caution Against Complacency
Despite recent success, Olowookere warned against complacency:
“No two matches are the same. We beat South Africa home and away, but that’s behind us. We must keep our feet on the ground and work harder. Our mission is to qualify for the World Cup and represent Nigeria proudly in Morocco.”
This mentality reflects the team’s commitment to focus and discipline as they edge closer to another World Cup appearance.
Flamingos’ Key Players to Watch
Nigeria will look to its prolific goal-scorer Harmony Chidi, who has already netted 16 goals in qualifiers, including 13 goals in the 2024 campaign that saw the team reach the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
Also expected to play pivotal roles are:
- Shakirat Moshood – Attacking midfielder with 4 goals at the last FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
- Aishat Animashaun – Scored in the previous round and a consistent offensive threat.
These rising stars are part of a talented squad that continues to build on Nigeria’s rich legacy in youth women’s football.
Related Post: Player Profiles: Meet the Flamingos’ Rising Talents
Match Details
- Fixture: Nigeria U17 vs Algeria U17 – First Leg
- Competition: Final Round, FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers
- Date: Saturday, April 20, 2025
- Venue: Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, Nigeria
- Kickoff: 4:00 PM WAT
Road to Morocco 2025
The 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will take place in Morocco from October 17 to November 5, and Nigeria is determined to secure early qualification. A big win in Ikenne would put the Flamingos firmly in control ahead of their away leg in Algeria.
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Stay tuned to Forema Media for full coverage of Nigeria vs Algeria, live updates, post-match reactions, and exclusive interviews as the Flamingos chase another World Cup ticket.
