Flamingos head coach, Bankole Olowookere says playing at the 2024 National Sports Festival is an opportunity to make his team stronger ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Olowookere’s side are already through to the semi-finals of the women’s football event at the Gateway Games currently ongoing in Ogun State.
The Flamingos, who are part of the Independent Junior Athletes, IJA, team will face hosts Ogun State in the last four at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne on Sunday.
The gaffer said he has discovered new players that will help strengthen his team ahead of the World Cup.
“Big plus in terms of developing the players. If we don’t have the sports festival, some of these players will not have this opportunity to play for the team. It wouldn’t have been possible too to discover the exceptional talents we have here at this moment,”;; Olowookere said.
“We invited eight new players to beef up the team, one or two of them have done well so far. Grace from Fortress Ladies and the other girl from FC Robo, Maryam. They have been exceptional. With more rigorous training, they will be able to gel more into the team.”;;
The Flamingos defeated South Africa and Algeria to qualify for the U-17 World Cup.
