The Nigerian U-17 girls’ football team, the Flamingos, sent a powerful message in their opening match of the WAFU-B Girls Cup in Ghana, demolishing Niger Republic 9-0 in a dominant performance.

Following the match, Flamingos’ head coach Bankole Olowokere was satisfied with the team’s display, praising their preparation and the continuity of the squad and highlighting the players’ experience on the international stage.

“The team has gone to the World Cup and played with the Super Nations, it’s just one of those things, and this is a team that has been training for quite a while now, so that’s just one of those things. It’s just a message.”

He credited the team’s success to strong planning and consistent preparation, emphasizing that continuity among the players has been a key factor in their performance.

“Continuity, preparation, I think a good team is about good planning, good preparation. That’s just one of those things.”

The coach also acknowledged the importance of keeping the focus on their own game while respecting their future opponents.

“At the time we don’t want to score, so we just have to play ball to their 18 and return back to our group. Just to avoid their elimination and protect their job as well. I always talk about myself, I take opponents the way they are.”

Olowokere cautioned against overconfidence, stating that every opponent must be taken seriously.

“It’s not good for them to be full of themselves. When they come, we never know what other people have. So when they come, we take them as who they are.”

The coach is now setting his sights on the next challenge – facing Ghana.

“They know they are determined to come and play against them here, so we never know. I can’t tell what they have in their preparation, so let them come.”

With the 9-0 victory under their belt, the Flamingos are ready to face whatever comes their way as they continue their journey in the tournament.