Flamingos Played Well Despite France Defeat – Coach

Flamingos coach, Bankole Olowookere has hailed the team’s performance despite the 1-0 defeat to France in their second match at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Nigeria have now lost their second consecutive game in the tournament after their opening day defeat to Canada.

Both teams played conservatively and created few chances in the first 45 minutes, defending robustly, with Nigeria making four attempts at goal, more than the French side who had three of their shots wide off the target.

Chisom Nwachukwu’s delightful set-piece, but France’s goalkeeper, Chevray Lauryne was right on the spot to tip it over the bar for a corner kick.

The Flamingos’ best chance came in the 50th minute of the game when Queen Joseph’s delivery from a corner kick fell onto the path of Nwachukwu whose close range left-footed shot was once again foiled by goalkeeper Chevray Lauryne.

Substitute Laboucarie Luna nearly put France in front in the 62nd minute after Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Elizabeth Boniface’s attempt to close down an attacker bearing on goal failed, but Jumai Adebayo’s goal-line clearance kept Nigeria on in the game.

France found the breakthrough late on as Maissa Fathallah’s low strike beat Boniface in the 81st minute for the only goal of the match.

Flamingos coach, Olowookere Bankole was disappointed to concede a late goal against France.

He said: “The game we played against France was much better than the one against Canada. If we had shown the same kind of fight in that first game, I don’t think we’d be in the situation we’re in now.”

“It was really unfortunate to concede that late goal, it was painful, heartbreaking even. We’ll just keep working hard and see if we can get something out of it to stay in the tournament.”

The defeat leaves Nigeria with zero points from two games.

The team will play Samoa Island in the last group game of the campaign on Saturday.