Flamingoes head coach Bankole Olowookere says his team’s preparation for the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup has been both demanding and fulfilling, as Nigeria gets set for the tournament scheduled to begin on October 17, 2025.
Olowookere revealed that over half of the current squad was drawn from his academy following extensive grassroots scouting efforts across the country.
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According to him, this reflects his long-term vision of nurturing talent from the grassroots and giving young girls opportunities to shine on the biggest stage.
“Preparation has been tough, but it has also been rewarding. We’ve worked hard to build a team that can compete and represent Nigeria with pride. Many of these players have been developed from the grassroots, and they understand what it means to wear the national colours,” Olowookere explained.
The coach also emphasized the importance of investing in grassroots coaches, noting that their work provides the foundation for Nigeria’s future success in women’s football. “We must continue to support those at the grassroots, because that is where the journey of every great player begins. The Flamingoes are proof of what can happen when we give opportunities to young girls,” he said.
Nigeria has consistently been one of Africa’s strongest sides at the U-17 Women’s World Cup, and expectations are high once again. Olowookere believes his squad has the mentality to perform, but insists discipline and focus will be key.
“We are preparing not just to participate, but to compete. The players are motivated, the technical staff is working hard, and our aim is to make Nigeria proud,” he added.
With just weeks left before the tournament kicks off, the Flamingoes are intensifying training sessions to sharpen tactics and conditioning. For Olowookere, the ultimate goal is to inspire the next generation of Nigerian girls through football success on the world stage
