After the Flamingos made history by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, head coach Hakeem Busari commended his players for their resilience and tactical discipline throughout the tournament.
Busari emphasized that the principles of dedication, determination, and discipline were crucial to the team’s strategy. He expressed optimism about the future of African football, highlighting how the performances of teams in the competition showcased an increase in quality and competitiveness, despite facing formidable opponents.
The Flamingos secured their victory with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku, overcoming a challenging group that included the defending champions.
Busari remarked that this success is a reflection of persistent development in African women’s youth football, stating, “What we are seeing now is not a fluke. It is about development, it is about character, and it is about fighting from the beginning to really get it right.” He expressed hope that more African teams would reach the knockout stages in future competitions.
Reflecting on their match against Japan, Busari noted that his technical team focused on countering Japan’s strengths, particularly their ability to win second balls and exploit space. Adapting their gameplay, they sought to limit Japan’s scoring opportunities by utilizing long balls strategically.
While they initially aimed for an early lead, the team later adopted a more cautious approach after taking the lead. Following a set-piece situation, however, Japan managed to equalize, leading to a tense end to the match where fatigue began to set in for the young players.
Busari highlighted the importance of managing the players’ mental state during this period, emphasizing the need for effective tactics and for the players to play to their strengths rather than succumbing to Japan’s speed and skill.
He also expressed gratitude towards the Nigerian government, the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation, and fans both domestically and internationally for their unwavering support. Busari particularly acknowledged the contributions from Nigerians in Morocco and across Africa, whose encouragement provided motivation for the team throughout the tournament.
