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Anthony Nlebem.
As the Flamingos prepare to battle Chile in their last Group B match, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, is confident Nigeria’s U-17 girls will clinch the quarter-finals ticket of the U17 Women’s World Cup in India.
Nigeria’s U-17 side will take on Chile in their last Group B match on Monday inside the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
Both teams have three points each but Flamingos boasts superior goals and need a draw to qualify for the last eight.
“Even though we need a draw to qualify, I have told the technical crew and the players to work hard for a win in order to sustain their winning mentality, according to a statement signed by Ademola Olajire, NFF Media Officer.
“That element is crucial for a team at this point in the tournament. A winning mentality ensures that you want to go for it no matter the situation or condition.
“They did well to get the goals against New Zealand but we need these three points as well so that the message can go out to our quarter-finals opponents that we mean serious business.”
Also, the General Secretary of the NFF Dr Sanusi Mohammed has assured the Flamingos of federation support as they prepare to take on the South American side on Monday.
Sanusi assured Nigeria’s U-17 side has the full support of NFF and the sports ministry following their impressive play against New Zealand on Friday at the U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.
“We thank the girls for making Nigeria proud and being good ambassadors of Nigeria, ” Sanusi said on NFF TV.
“It was good that we came here and the girls welcomed us by ensuring that they won the match against New Zealand 4-0.
“On behalf of the federal government of Nigeria, we want to assure the Flamingos that Nigerians are solidly behind them.
Sanusi further added that the president of NFF and sports minister will storm India as they progress to the next stage.
Flamingos Head Coach Bankole Olowookere also assured that his girls will not take their feet off the pedal against the South Americans.
“We are ready for another three points. We had a good win over New Zealand but I’m not happy we lost so many scoring chances. We cannot afford to do that against Chile.
“We are very focused because nothing has been won yet. It is another game in which we must give our very best and ensure we get a win.”
The Flamingos bounced back from their 2-1 defeat to Germany by bashing New Zealand 4-0 in their second Group B match at the ongoing U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.
Table toppers Germany, who have sealed their place in the knockout phase, having claimed the maximum six points following a 6-0 win over Chile and 2-1 victory against Nigeria, also play New Zealand the same day.