Head coach of the Flamingos Bankole Olowookere feels his team’s progress to the quarter finals at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup unlocked an achievement level for the entire Nigerian contingent.
Nigeria defeated Chile 2-1 to reach the last eight of the tournament and for the fourth time in history after previously qualifying in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
However Nigeria have not gone past the quarter-final stage in previous editions, and the Flamingos now have the task of navigating past tournament favorites, the USA WNT, to advance to the semi finals.
The US team finished top of group A alongside Brazil, Morocco and hosts, India.
Yet, Olowookere believes that qualifying to the semi final stage is the next mission for his girls and although he feels successful as a coach, they are obliged to make the nation proud by going past a quarter final berth.
“As a coach I have achieved, but as a nation, it’s not yet the end of the journey because the best we have ever achieved is the quarter finals,” Olowookere stressed.
“I am here in the World Cup to cause a lot of upsets and create a lot of records, so, if I have gotten to the Quarter finals as a coach I have achieved something in my career but as a nation, no.
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“We need to work hard for Nigeria to get to the next stage, if we get to the semi finals we have outdone what has been done in the times past.
“So, there are two things I need to do; I have done one for my self and can do more for my self and for my nation it’s getting them to the semi final stages and other stages.”
Ahead of the game against USA Olowookere maintains that he has a lot of respect for his opponent, but will go for the win and ensure Nigeria gets past the quarter final stage.
He also believes that the Flamingos have what it takes to defeat the USA and he will work with his players on tactics and things they need to improve ahead of the game on Friday.
