Head coach of the Nigeria U17 girls’ team, Bankole Olowookere, has admitted that his side made costly mistakes in their 4–1 loss to Canada at the ongoingrna toument but insists the Flamingoes will bounce back stronger in their next outing.
Speaking after the match, Olowookere acknowledged that the defeat was a harsh lesson for his young side, who struggled to take their chances despite creating several opportunities.
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“We gave away about two easy goals, and that changed the momentum of the game,” the coach said. “We also had our chances but didn’t make them count. At this level, you get punished for every mistake.”
Despite the scoreline, Olowookere praised his players’ effort and fighting spirit, emphasizing that development and learning are crucial at this stage of their careers.
“It’s part of the growth process,” he added. “We are still building the team’s mentality and decision-making. I believe we’ll respond better in the next matches.”
The Flamingoes now face a must-win situation in their remaining group games, with hopes of advancing resting on improved finishing and defensive discipline.
Olowookere said his focus is on correcting errors and boosting the team’s confidence before their next match.
“We’ve analyzed what went wrong, and the girls understand what’s expected of them,” he concluded. “The only way forward is to win our next games — that’s our priority.”
