By Tony Ezimakor, Abuja
As the nation’s U-17 women team, Flamingos, line up against Brazil on Wednesday (today) in one of the semi-final pairings of the World Cup in Morocco, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO) of National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has expressed confidence the Nigerian girls will brush aside the South Americans and eventually bring home the trophy.
The Flamingos have so far enjoyed an impressive run, posting performances that have continued to awe opposition and supporters alike.
The DG, who had followed the team’s preparations before their departure, said he was encouraged by what he saw during their training sessions, adding that he was familiar with some of the players and had personally identified a few of them.
According to him, the team’s potential had never been in doubt but initial fears were erased after the technical crew overcame the selection bottlenecks and picked the very best of the players, with the result now evident.
He commended the team’s approach to the competition, particularly its philosophy of taking each match as it comes, stressing that every game requires a different level of preparation, programme and attitude.
Shaibu, himself a former professional footballer, noted that the players’ ability to understand and assimilate instructions from the technical team was another positive indication that they were not just in the competition to add to the numbers.
The tournament in Morocco is the first time no European team was able to make to the semis, with North Korea and Japan making up the other pair.
The DG maintained that the pathway to winning the trophy lies in maintaining focus and approaching every match with determination and resilience, traits that have been the Flamingos’ hallmarks in the tournament thus far.
A statement signed by Special Assistant (SA), Media, to the DG, Ben Ogbemudia, which disclosed these, urged the team not to look too far ahead but instead take it a game at a time.
“The team’s seven-game strategy is yielding the desired result, their performances in the opening matches had further convinced me of their ability to achieve the ultimate goal which is returning home with the trophy,” he stressed.
The NIS boss also urged Nigerians to remain expectant and supportive of the young players, expressing optimism that, with the Asian teams already out of the way, the Flamingos have what it takes to overcome their remaining opponents, including the Americans, and ultimately bring the trophy home.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Comrade Shaibu.
