Coach of the Nigeria U17 Women’s national team, Bankole Olowookere, said that the experience gathered at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India would help the players as they progress in their careers.
Nigeria won their first U-17 Women’s World Cup medal on Sunday, defeating Germany in a penalty shootout in the third-place match on Sunday. Both teams had previously met in the Group stage, with the Germans coming from behind to win 2-1.
After going one goal up against Germany in Goa on the first day of the tournament, the Flamingos capitulated 2-1, but refused to bow their heads. They spanked New Zealand 4-0 with some scintillating displays also in Goa and edged Chile 2-1 in Bhubaneswar to reach the knockout stage.
The team would later shock a much-fancied USA team in the Quarterfinals in Navi Mumbai, with substitute goalkeeper Linda Jiwuaku, brought in for the shootout after the game ended 1-1 in regulation time, saved one of the kicks and an American player fluffed her kick to give Nigeria victory.
Read Also: India 2022: Bronze medallist Flamingos returns tomorrow
Back in Goa, another penalty shootout was needed against Colombia in the semi-finals. This time defender Omamuzo Edafe, who scored the penalty kick during play and the winner in the shootout against USA, saw her kick crash against the upright. Nigeria lost in sudden death when defender Comfort Folorunsho lost her kick.
“We give God the glory. It was a roller-coaster but we learnt a lot of lessons and it will help the players as they graduate to other levels of the National Team. We strove hard to get our hands on the trophy but we will take the bronze medals for now and return home to go and prepare hard for the next edition,” Olowookere said.
“It was a very difficult game. We came into the game knowing fully well that our opponents are a tough side. They gave us a good fight. It was a very difficult game.
“I’m a very happy man that we didn’t leave India empty-handed. It has been a great tournament with a lot of lessons learnt. We give God the glory,” he added.