Flamingos head coach, Bankole Olowookere has refused to blame his players following the team’s disappointing exit from the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Olowookere’s side lost 2-0 to the USA in their quarter-final encounter on Saturday night at Estadio Cibao, Santiago de Los Caballeros.
The Americans scored in each half, with Kennedy Fuller putting in front on 43 minutes and Kimmi Ascanio doubled the lead on 74 minutes, avenging their penalty shootout defeat against Nigeria in their epic clash at the 2022 edition in India in 2022.
During a post-match press conference cited by FIFA.com, Olowookere said he was proud of the girls, adding that they can go beyond the level, which they would strive to achieve the next time.
“I’m so proud of the girls, they’ve given it their best, come all this way and they are kids who are developing. They’ve given their best but maybe their best was not good enough,” he was quoted by FIFA.com.
“To my fellow Nigerians, we can go beyond this level and we will try and be better next time.”
Written by Jennifer Amarachi
