Head Coach of the National U-17 Women’s team, Flamingoes,
Bala Nikyu has given kudos to the team for winning its opening match of the
ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Nigerians beat China 2-1 early Monday.
Goals from Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu on either side
of the half was what the team needed to secure the three points at stake. The
team held on even after China
pulled one back on 62nd minute. Ajibade got the opener for Nigeria with 28
minutes played, while Kanu added the second on 60th minute.
In a post-match interview, the coach commended the team’s
resilience, refusing to single out any player for a particular mention.
“I don’t want to mention any player because they all did
well. Its team work. They played for themselves to win,” Nikyu said, even
refusing to blame the team for a not too impressive display in the second half.
He insisted that the players did well to preserve the lead
despite that the Chinese’s fought-back in the last half hour of the game.
“We played better in the first half, it is normal when you
are down in any match you fight back. Am not surprised that China fought
hard in the second half as they were already down.
Flamingoes will look to secure a firm grasp of group D when
the team takes on Colombia
by 8pm Costa Rica
time on Wednesday. It will be 3.00am on Thursday in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Ajibade, who won the Most Valuable Player award
has expressed delight at the award and promised to do better in subsequent
games so as to make Nigerians proud.
“I feel great and on top of the world. I just pray God
continue to keep me in-form, so I can do my best at all time.
“All I have to tell Nigerians is to continue praying for us,
and we won’t let them down, we will bring the trophy back to Nigeria,”
Ajibade assured.
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