Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, will be aiming to seal their place in the final round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers when they host Guinea in the second leg of their tie at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Sunday.
The Flamingos head into the encounter in a commanding position after recording an emphatic 5-0 victory in the first leg played in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The dominant display showcased the team’s attacking quality, tactical discipline, and growing confidence as they moved within touching distance of qualification.
Despite the sizeable advantage, Head Coach Akeem Busari has warned against complacency, insisting that his players must remain fully focused and approach the return leg with the same intensity and professionalism that earned them success in the first meeting.
Since returning from Côte d’Ivoire, the Flamingos have continued preparations in Ikenne-Remo, with the technical crew maintaining high standards in training as they seek to keep the squad mentally sharp ahead of the decisive fixture.
Busari acknowledged that managing the players’ mindset after such a convincing away victory has been one of the key priorities for the coaching staff, stressing that qualification has not yet been secured.
Complacency can naturally set in after a result like that because we are all human, Busari said. But football can be unpredictable and Guinea remains a team capable of fighting back. We have continued to work hard because there is still a job to be done.
Playing at home also comes with responsibility. Our supporters want to see a good performance, and we want to continue showcasing the progress and quality of this team. We are preparing to win again and do so in a convincing manner.”
The Flamingos coach likened the challenge to preparing for examinations, noting that success is achieved through continuous effort, repetition and maintaining focus until the objective is fully accomplished.
With qualification for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco now within reach, the Flamingos will be determined to deliver another commanding performance, complete the task against Guinea, and continue their impressive journey under Busari’s leadership.
