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Anthony Nlebem.
Following Flamingos shock defeat to European champions Germany in their opening game of the 2022 U-17 Women’s World Cup in India, former Super Falcons coach, Eucharia Uche, has charged the Bankole Olowookere girls to avoid errors and win their next game against New Zealand on Friday.
“Maybe the girls were scared or jittery about the name Germany in their first game, but I don’t think they will have the same feeling against New Zealand and Chile. The coach should know that he has to win these two matches and must tell the girls to go for a win,” Uche said.
“I still have confidence in the girls to qualify from that group, at times some teams can start poorly at the group stage and still survive. The girls will improve with every game.”
Flamingos took the lead against European champions Germany on Tuesday but fell to two second-half goals, making it mandatory for them to win their remaining two matches against New Zealand and Chile.
The 49-year-old former Super Falcons star also charged the coach to put aside the defeat against Germany and build the girls’ confidence level ahead of their cracker against New Zealand.
“The coach should make them know that they are playing against New Zealand, a side that lost their first game to Chile 3-1, Nigeria have an advantage of + 1 goal over them and they need to win the game.
“They should go all out, leave no stone unturned, the mistakes against Germany should not occur in Friday’s game.
“They were not holding the ball. A team in possession dictates the pace of the game. The coach should tell the girls to hold the ball, dictate the game’s play, and push the ball in the direction they want it to go.
“If a team can’t make two or three passes, I don’t think they are in control of the game and that is what happened in their game against Germany. They should be in control of the game and make sure they go for goals and defend very well.”
The Flamingos will be back on the turf of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday in a must-win against New Zealand. The match kicks off at 4.30pm India time and 12.30pm Nigeria time.