Nigeria’s Flamingos are gearing up to make a bold statement at the 2025 U-17 Women’s World Cup in Chile, with Coach Olowookere assuring fans of a fearless, title-driven campaign.
Drawn in a tough group with France, Canada, and Samoa, the team is banking on experience, resilience, and hunger to chase World Cup glory.
As the countdown begins to the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Chile, head coach of Nigeria’s Flamingos, Bankole Olowookere, is brimming with confidence and determination. The tactician has assured Nigerians that the team will give their all and not disappoint when they take to the global stage once again.
The Flamingos, drawn in a challenging Group C, will face football powerhouses France and Canada, as well as underdogs Samoa, in the tournament’s group stage. Despite the tough draw, Olowookere believes the squad has matured and gained valuable experience since their last outing and is now better positioned to compete at the highest level.
Speaking on the Super Falcons Show, the coach emphasized that the team is preparing to fight for glory, regardless of the calibre of their opponents.
“This is a tournament, a competition,” Olowookere said. “We need to compete with others, whether they are weak or strong. That’s the only path to becoming a champion; nobody hands you a trophy without a fight.”
The Flamingos reached the quarter-finals of the last edition held in the Dominican Republic, where they showed promise but ultimately fell short of making the final four. That performance, while respectable, left Olowookere and his technical team hungry for more and determined to push beyond previous limits.
According to the coach, the experience gained from that tournament has laid the foundation for what he calls the “third and most crucial phase” of their journey.
“The journey started right after the last World Cup,” he explained. “We took the lessons learned, tactical discipline, mental strength, and the importance of game management, and we’ve been working with those insights. Now, having played and qualified for this World Cup, we’re ready for the final battle.”
Olowookere also noted that preparations for the Chile tournament have been intense, with a focus on building resilience, sharpening technical skills, and enhancing team chemistry. He revealed that the players are not just physically fit but also mentally prepared for the challenges ahead.
While France and Canada are known for their structured youth development systems and competitive edge, Olowookere is not fazed. Instead, he views the opportunity to play against such opponents as an essential step toward the team’s growth.
“To be the best, you must beat the best,” he said. “These are the kinds of matches that prepare you for greatness. We respect our opponents, but we don’t fear them.”
The 2025 edition of the U-17 Women’s World Cup promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with teams from across the globe converging in Chile to battle for the coveted trophy. For Nigeria’s Flamingos, it is more than a competition, it’s a chance to etch their names in history and inspire a new generation of young girls across Africa.
With the confidence and clarity of purpose displayed by Coach Olowookere, Nigerian fans have every reason to hope that the Flamingos will soar high in Chile.
