Flamingos head coach Hakeem Busari has urged his players to improve their finishing and show greater composure in front of goal ahead of their 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup semifinal clash against Brazil, Trybal News reports.
Nigeria secured a place in the last four following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Venezuela in the quarterfinals, but Busari believes his side must be more clinical to overcome their Brazilian opponents.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s encounter, the Nigerian tactician explained how tactical adjustments helped his team unlock Venezuela’s defence after a goalless first half.
We knew the way the team was going and the time the clock was running after we couldn’t get a goal in the first half,” Busari explained.
We tried to change the tactics in the second half. At a point, if we want to put the ball on the flank, it is going to be a decoy. It is not only that person who really wants to take the pass.”
Busari said the changes created spaces in Venezuela’s defensive structure, allowing Nigeria to exploit one-on-one situations and showcase their attacking qualities.
That really opened their back and they still want to come and tackle almost all the time,” he added.
However, the coach admitted that his players failed to capitalise on some promising opportunities, while acknowledging the quality of Venezuela’s goalkeeper.
There were some few balls we ought to have taken but their goalkeeper was a supreme goalkeeper. She comes out more often to really pick up the ball.”
Explaining his tactical approach, Busari noted that identifying an opponent’s strengths and weaknesses was crucial to creating opportunities for his players.
For every team, there are always strong points and weaker strengths. We were able to notice them more that the only way we can win this game is for us to open them more, so that we can have 1v1 and that’s where we can get our brilliance.
Oscar too had one at a point in time but she was not looking up quickly and she would have been able to bury it.”
Despite the missed chances, Busari expressed confidence in his team’s ability to progress to the final, acknowledging the challenge awaiting them against Brazil.
We thank God for this now. We have been able to surpass this and the next one is Brazil and I know the good Lord who has been helping the Flamingos we see us through.”
The Flamingos manager stressed that composure and better decision-making in the attacking third would be essential if Nigeria are to secure victory.
It is all about composure. One of the basic things that make you to score and have a goal being scored as easy as possible is ball reception, identification of where you are, and after the control for raising your head and looking at the kind of technique to use at that point in time,” Busari concluded.
Nigeria will now look to deliver a more clinical performance when they face Brazil on Wednesday, with a place in the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup final at stake.
