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Flamingos coach Akeem Busari described Nigeria’s historic 3-1 victory over Brazil as a great achievement, saying the team’s qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final represents a major boost for the country and Nigerian football.
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Nigeria became the first African nation to reach the final of the competition after producing an impressive performance against Brazil, extending their winning run to five matches following an opening-day defeat to Poland.
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Busari praised his players for displaying courage and character against a technically gifted Brazilian side, while urging them to maintain the same tactical discipline and determination when they face Japan in Saturday’s final.
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Flamingos forward Queen Joseph revealed that the team is drawing inspiration from Argentina’s remarkable 2022 World Cup triumph after losing their opening match, expressing confidence that Nigeria can complete its historic campaign by lifting the trophy.
November 05, (THEWILL) – Flamingos coach, Akeem Busari, has described the team’s 3-1 win over Brazil in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup semi-final clash as a great achievement.
Nigeria produced a stunning performance to brush aside Brazil to book a place in the final of the competition for the first time.
The Flamingos have bounced back impressively following a 2-1 defeat to Poland in their first match to go on a five-match winning run.
Nigeria became the first African nation to reach the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Busari described the win as a major boost for the country and Nigerian football.
“It’s an awesome thing; it’s a great achievement. Reaching the final is a plus for our country; it’s a plus for our football. We are happy, the girls are happy”, Busari said.
He also praised the Brazilian team’s quality, while saluting his players for showing courage in the encounter.
“It was a key contest, and it wasn’t an easy one. Brazil really showed the stuff they have technically, but we tried to really block the view of their passing line, so we had to show character.
“[We played] really, really bravely. We appreciate the girls because they are young. We could only encourage them and tell them what they needed to do to make the final”, he added.
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Busari also urged the players to keep their focus ahead of the final clash against Japan.
“It’s just about showing the same character and playing the same way we played with North Korea, because they play with the same philosophy. They want to build the ball, they look at the high line of passes, they want their full-backs to support, so we really want to look at all that.
“I’m excited, and I’m happy, and the class were happy, but we just really want to pick up the trophy. That would be the icing on the cake”, he concluded.
Flamingos forward, Queen Joseph, revealed that the players are taking inspiration from Argentina’s World Cup triumph after the Lionel Messi-led team recovered from an opening defeat to Saudi Arabia to win the trophy.
She said: “We took the Argentina spirit from the [2022] World Cup after losing our first game. They came back and won the trophy, so we are hoping to God Almighty that we are going to win the trophy.
“I feel very happy. Playing in the final is a big privilege; representing my country in the final is a big privilege for me. I’m super proud of myself and my team because we made history. We are not here just representing Nigeria; we are here representing Africa as a whole.”
The Flamingos have only missed one edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup since inception.
Nigeria will now face Japan in the final on Saturday.
