Flamingos head coach, Bankole Olowookere has described the team’s recent friendly match against Mexico as a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their game plan ahead of the upcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.

Speaking after the match, Olowookere noted that the Mexican side gave his team a strong challenge in an intense encounter, one that he believes has boosted the players’ confidence.

Friendly match between Nigeria and Mexico ahead of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. Photo | X

Also, the experience had helped alleviate any feelings of insecurity the players may have had.

“The match against Mexico is just another opening and it touched to what we were expecting at the World Cup,” Olowookere said.

“It was a tough match and very tough. I mean, they are similar to our African kind of football, a bit robust. It’s good. With that match, it’s just preparing us, ready. I mean, above half ready.”

“The inferiority complex has been taken away. A bit of fear has taken away. That’s just what I can say. So, it’s okay for us. It’s fine for us.”

Looking forward to the World Cup, Olowookere is eager to see how his team will fare when the tournament officially begins, adding that he has been preparing them based on his own past experiences.

“The only word I was just waiting for was, how does it happen at the World Cup proper itself? Because I’ve told them the story based on the experience I got the last time I went to the World Cup.”

“I was really just waiting for the World Cup proper to start.”