THE Flamingos are back in Nigeria following their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Burkina Faso in Bamako, Mali on Saturday that ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Nigerian side’s head coach Bankole Olowookere said on arrival in Abuja today that the support of Nigerians based in Bamako helped lift the spirit of the Flamingos during the first leg.
He has appealed to fans based in Abuja and environs to come in large numbers to the MKO Abiola National Stadium this Saturday to support the girls as they aim to beat the Burkinabes and advance into the final qualifying round.
“We appreciate the support of Nigerians for the Flamingos over the years, but we are calling specially for their support this weekend when we take on the Burkina Faso girls in the return leg of our qualifying fixture,” Olowookere said.
“The Flamingos will be ready to do the nation proud by winning to reach the last round of the qualification series.
“I have the players to do the job. All we are asking for is support from the stands. Our objective is to not only win the ticket, but to go to the World Cup and surpass our last outing of a third-place finish in India in 2022.”
Chidi Harmony struck for Nigeria in the 55th minute in Bamako but a mix-up in the defence led to Burkina Faso levelling up with six minutes left through Rainata Oubda.
Victory over Burkina Faso will set the Flamingos up for the final qualifying tie against the winners of the Senegal versus Liberia clash.
Senegalese lead 3-1 going into the second leg in Monrovia this weekend.
