Head coach of Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, Bankole Olowookere, says the Flamingos have what it takes to defeat Italy when both sides meet in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The match will take place on Tuesday (today) at the Football Academy Mohamed VI in Rabat.
Italy head into the fixture unbeaten, having won all three group-stage matches against Brazil, Morocco, and Costa Rica. The Flamingos, meanwhile, advanced to the knockout stage after finishing third in Group C with a single win.
Despite the tough challenge ahead, Olowookere remains confident in his team’s ability to cause an upset.
“Nobody in football is unbeatable. Italy hasn’t lost yet, but there’s always a first time — maybe that first time will come against Nigeria,” Olowookere told reporters. “My girls are not ready to go home; they still have something to prove. We’ll correct our early mistakes and fight to the end.”
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