Nigeria’s U17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, has officially departed for Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, ahead of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. The squad, led by coach Bankole Olowookere, boarded a Turkish Airlines flight on Tuesday as they embark on their quest for global glory.
The Flamingos will undergo an intense two-week training camp in the Dominican Republic before the tournament kicks off on October 16 and runs until November 3, 2024.
✈️Off to the Dominican Republic!🇩🇴 Our sisters, Flamingos are ready to represent 🇳🇬 and make us proud on the global stage.
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) October 1, 2024
Safe travels and best of luck! 💪⚽#U17WWC #SoarFlamingos pic.twitter.com/xSjk8AD5Ha
This preparation period will help the team adjust to the climate and conditions before their Group A matches against the host nation, Ecuador, and New Zealand.
The tournament presents yet another opportunity for Nigeria to claim their first-ever FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup title, and coach Olowookere is optimistic about the team’s chances.
“We are confident of a good outing in the Dominican Republic,” he shared.
🗣️Flamingos Head Coach Bankole Olowookere explains his choice of final 🇳🇬selection for the 2024 U17 Women's World Cup in Dominican Republic later this month#U17WWC #SoarFlamingos pic.twitter.com/GcmVcr6xxW
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) October 1, 2024
Olowookere guided the Flamingos to an impressive third-place finish in the previous edition of the tournament in India, and this year, the 21-player squad is ready to take on the world. Team captain Taiwo Afolabi will lead the charge, supported by standout forwards Harmony Chidi and Peace Effiong. Harmony Chidi, in particular, has been a key player in Nigeria’s qualification campaign, netting 13 of the team’s 25 goals in the qualifiers.
The Flamingos have a strong history in the competition, having reached the quarterfinals three times and achieving a remarkable semi-final victory over the USA in 2022. Now, with their sights set on the ultimate prize, the Nigerian team is determined to build on that success and bring home the trophy.
