As Nigeria gear up for their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa, head coach Bankole Olowookere has reaffirmed his commitment to building a formidable squad and leaving a lasting impact on Nigerian football.

Beyond technical skills, Olowookere stressed the importance of instilling character and discipline in his players, ensuring they not only excel on the pitch but also represent Nigeria with pride and professionalism.

Challenges in Flamingos Camp

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

Olowookere revealed challenges in assembling a full squad for training, as some players are still involved in league matches with their respective clubs.
However, he remains confident in the team’s readiness and ability to showcase Nigeria’s strength on the global stage.

“We are good, but the turnout to the camp has been a bit low. The reason being that some of the teams are playing league matches.”

“So we are taking permission to allow the girls to play the match before returning to camp, which we obliged for them.”

Despite the reduced numbers in training, the coach sees the situation as manageable and is focused on maximizing the available players’ potential.

“Only a few of them are in camp, so we start training with just a few numbers that we have.”

“And again, some of them are still on their way coming. So we just have a few, not that kind of a robust camp, but it’s okay. That’s a good direction.”

Changing the Mentality Around Nigerian Football

Olowookere’s vision extends beyond the upcoming qualifier—he wants to reshape perceptions of Nigerian football at the youth level, using the Flamingos as a beacon of the country’s potential.

With a strong performance against South Africa, the team aims to prove Nigeria’s dominance and secure a spot in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

With the Flamingos’ fighting spirit and Olowookere’s leadership, expectations are high as they prepare to take on South Africa in a crucial showdown.