Former Flamingos head coach Bankole Olowookere believes Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team has the attacking talent to mount a serious challenge for the title at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Olowookere expressed confidence in the team’s potential following Nigeria’s qualification for the Round of 16, highlighting the quality of its attacking options, including forward Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and captain Harmony Chidi.
The former coach believes the presence of such promising young players gives the Flamingos a strong foundation as they pursue a deeper run in the competition.
Adegbuyi has been among Nigeria’s standout performers, while Chidi brings additional attacking threat to a side seeking to build on its progress through the tournament.
Nigeria revived its campaign with a 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico after losing 2-1 to Poland in its opening Group B fixture. The Flamingos then produced an impressive 3-1 win over defending champions North Korea to secure a place in the knockout stage.
The result demonstrated the team’s ability to respond to setbacks and deliver against strong opposition, boosting hopes of another memorable World Cup campaign.
Nigeria finished third at the 2022 edition in India, securing its best-ever finish at the tournament. That achievement provides a benchmark for the current squad as it looks to make its own mark on the global stage.
The Flamingos are scheduled to face Mexico in the Round of 16 on Thursday, October 29, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Olowookere’s assessment reflects confidence in the team’s attacking depth and the potential of its emerging stars. However, Nigeria’s title ambitions will depend on translating that promise into consistent performances as the knockout stage raises the stakes.
With the tournament entering its decisive phase, the Flamingos will need their key players to deliver as they pursue another strong finish on the world stage.
