Stakeholders Task Flamingoes On U-17 World Cup Final

Some football stakeholders have urged the U-17 female team, the Flamingoes, to remain focused and ensure they get to the final of the U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup is scheduled to hold from September 22 to October 13 in Azerbaijan.

In separate interviews with newsmen yesterday, the stakeholders said that they have confidence in the ability of the team and urged the players not to let the country down at the championship.

Nnenna Etim, a former Super Falcons coach, urged the team not to underrate any country, saying getting to the final should be their target.

Etim advised the players not to allow sentiments to rule them, but follow the instructions of their handlers and play their normal game.

“These girls have shown a lot of zeal from the beginning. So I do not doubt their determination. The best advice I have is that they should not underrate any team,’’ she said.

The former coach also recommended that foreign training tours should be organised for the girls, to expose those who would be featuring in the competition for the first time.

The coordinator of the Super Falcons, Henrietta Ukaigwe, also tasked the team to surpass the achievements of their predecessors.

According to her, getting to the final would create opportunities unimaginable for them.

“The Flamingoes in the last edition dropped at the quarter-finals. This time, I urge them to go all the way to the final because this would open doors for them in the world,’’ she said.

Ukaigwe,who commended the team, described them as hardworking, dedicated and with experienced coaches.

“They have been dedicated from the qualifiers and I know there would be training tours to prepare them ahead of the competition in September.

“I implore them to adhere to the rules of the game. If they can put all these into consideration with their unwavering focus, they would go a long way at the games,’’ she said.

The Nigeria Football Association’s Director of Competitions, Mohammed Sanusi,  said the team should remain focused and disciplined.