Flamingoes hunt for first world title

Unlike their male counterparts who have won the trophy a record four times, the Flamingoes are yet to taste victory in the cadet championship.The Flamingoes are making their fourth appearance in the championship and hopes are really high that the present squad assembled by a former Super Falcons assistant coach, Bala Nyiku will surpass the […]

Unlike their male counterparts who have won the trophy a record four times, the Flamingoes are yet to taste victory in the cadet championship.
The Flamingoes are making their fourth appearance in the championship and hopes are really high that the present squad assembled by a former Super Falcons assistant coach, Bala Nyiku will surpass the achievements of the previous squads.
The team’s search for glory in the U-17 World Cup began in 2008 in New Zealand. Although the Nigerian girls could not qualify for the next round, one of the players, Soo Adekwagh scored the fastest goal in the history of female football. It took her only 20 seconds to beat Korean Keeper Lee Hyo-Ju. The goal became the fastest in FIFA women’s football history, bettering the old record, held since 1991 by Sweden’s Videkull, by eight seconds. The goal made Soo an instant heroine but the team crashed out at the group stage.
The Flamingoes were back again in 2010 championship in Trinidad and Tobago where they lost 6-5 on penalties after extra time to Korea Republic, the eventual winners of the tournament.
In 2012, hopes were really high that the Flamingoes would become the first African country to reach the semi-finals but that was not to be as they were again beaten on penalties in the quarters by France who went on to win the championship.
Following the withdrawal of South Sudan, the Flamingoes qualified for the 2014 edition without kicking the ball. Consequently, in order to get the team in a competitive mood, the Nigeria Football Federation ensured that the girls embarked on a foreign training tour to put them in shape.
The team which camped in Faro, Portugal for 19 days, played series of friendly matches including the international friendly against the U-17 team of Belgium which was the only match they were held to a 0-0 draw.
Early in the week, Nyiku released the list of players to prosecute the World Cup for Nigeria and the most experienced girl in the team, Chinwendu Ihezuo topped the list. For those who followed the Trinidad and Tobago Flamingoes squad, the name Ihezuo is capable of inspiring confidence any day.
She scored a total of six goals in four matches to pick the Adidas Silver Boot Award. The then 15 year old girl scored five goals in the 11-0 routing of host Azerbaijan. The player who is picked to captain the Flamingoes in Costa Rica is brimming with confidence. “I try to help my team-mates with the experience that I have. Having already played at the finals of a World Cup, I know what to expect and it can help the other players in our squad if they know that.”
There is also another member of the Azerbaijan Flamingoes squad, Tessy Biahwo in the present team to complement Ihezuo.
 Such is the level of confidence and Coach Mansur Abdullahi who was the team’s assistant coach in 2012 is also confident the Flamingoes would do the nation and continent proud, if they put their acts together.
“All I can say is that there is quality in that team. The coach, Bala Nyiku who is a senior colleague knows his onions. Having been to the World Cup as Super Falcons assistant coach, he is not new to action at that level.
“I am sure he has assembled the players with the required abilities. Moreover, having played series of friendly matches, the team must have garnered the exposure and confidence to be able to handle the challenge of playing in the World Cup.
“The top scorer during my time as assistant coach of the team, Chinwendu Ihezuo is very much in the team and I believe she will be able to inspire confidence in the rest of the players. I believe that if everything falls in place, the Flamingoes will be able to go all the way”, he said.
Nyiku, a coach who has carved a niche for himself in youth football is also confident he has the girls who will do the job for him beginning from tomorrow. The coach is however playing safe by not overrating his team’s chances.
Speaking shortly before listing his 21 damsels for the Costa Rica 2014 party, the coach said “I will not predict how we will finish because you have to respect your opponents, but I am sure we will have a good team.”
Flamingoes are grouped along with China, Colombia and Mexico in group D.