'We Made Nigeria Proud': Coach Reflects on U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifying Triumph

Olowookere discloses the strategies that have fueled the squad's remarkable achievements, from managing intense competitions to motivating novice athletes.

The journey to the U-17 Women's World Cup is always challenging, yet for Nigeria’s Flamingos, this route has been characterized by their resolve, strict self-control, and a strong feeling of honor.

Led by Coach Bankole Olowookere, the squad has demonstrated an impressive balance of toughness and excellence.

Following a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory against longtime rivals South Africa, Olowookere spoke with PREMIUM TIMES about reflecting on the squad’s performance and what propels their unyielding motivation.

Decoding the triumph of South Africa

When questioned regarding the team's performance up until then, Olowookere was unable to conceal his sense of accomplishment:

Wonderful. Amazing, congratulations to my girls. They deserve praise for doing an excellent job. It wasn’t simple following all the preparations before heading to South Africa.

Before South Africa, there was significant commotion. Initially, it wasn’t an easy situation for us, considering the rivalry between Nigeria and. South Africa . We went there, and we accomplished that with a score of 3-1."

The coach emphasized the team's concentration and performance, especially during the crucial second leg match: "The players followed my guidance effectively. Our aim was to score early and boost our goal count, which we achieved in the opening period. This made the remainder of the game considerably simpler for us."

Maintaining the Flame: Inspiration Beyond the Scoreboard

Even though they had a solid advantage following the initial match, the Flamingos remained vigilant. Olowookere highlighted the special camaraderie among the team members that drives them to keep striving ahead.

It’s an intimate group. We refer to each other as family. As the patriarch, certain women from my training team act like mothers, and everyone else is considered part of our brood. This makes us one big family; we strive not to fail and aim to progress together.

For Olowookere, motivation goes beyond strategies or inspiring speeches. It’s about fostering pride and a sense of purpose:

We aspire for our careers to make an impact. We’ve participated in the World Cup twice, whereas some others have only made it once; meanwhile, the newer members aim to reach this milestone.

We have shared with them the tale of how delightful the World Cup experience is and the outstanding hospitality we receive there. This serves as motivation for them.

A nation behind them

The coach similarly highlighted how vital outside assistance is for propelling the team to new levels of achievement.

Each person contributed to reaching this stage. The federation provided support; the day before the match, the secretary along with his team visited to encourage the girls. Witnessing the audience – we couldn’t let down Nigeria.

The Flamingos' achievement extends beyond merely securing victories; it involves embodying national pride. Olowookere emphasized that each game presents a chance to elevate Nigeria’s status and create a lasting heritage.

Picturing the Nigerian audience worldwide, we resolved to make our efforts significant for Nigeria. We were determined to bring pride to our nation.

Building dreams and careers

Apart from aiming to secure qualification for the World Cup, Olowookere recognizes how these crucial periods influence his players' career trajectories.

For me personally, it provides a morale uplift for my career too. It holds significant importance since I requested them to perform for me, enabling my professional journey to continue progressing.

He envisions long-term development for his players:

It’s a profile that I’m developing, and this applies to several others as well. In the not-too-distant future, some of us might be featured in the U20 and the. Super Falcons , pursuing a career as a professional football player and achieving superstar status. That's what I encourage them to strive for."

Coach Bankole Olowookere and his Flamingos team haven't merely pursued qualification; they've demonstrated resilience, unity, and pride.

As they move nearer to yet another World Cup, their tale is marked by aspirations, commitment, and an intense longing to bring pride to Nigeria.

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