President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, was full of praises for Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s football team, Flamingos, for beating their United States of America counterparts 5-4 via penalty shootout in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India and charged the team to go all the way.
Speaking immediately after the Flamingos’ victory Friday in Mombai, Gusau said he had always believed that the girls would make Nigeria proud with the way they sounded even before they left for the championship and when he spoke with them
“As I said before the match, the girls are highly motivated to win beat USA and they did not disappoint. I can assure you now that they will go all the way to reach the final and possibly win the cup with the support and prayers of Nigerians,” Gusau said.
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“We shall motivate them more and ensure that they reach the final. I have spoken with them and they have assured me that they leave no stone unturned in an effort to win the cup. I have also told the coaches to work on the sharpness of the players in front of the goal if they must go all the way.”
Gusau added: “Hopefully, we shall ensure that they do not lack financial support in India to appreciate them for breaking the jinx of not only beating the USA in a tournament but reaching the semi-final stage for the first time. I am happy with the girls, and we will continue to pray for their success.”
Meanwhile, the NFF president is expected to travel to India on Monday to boost the players’ morale ahead of their semi-final clash against Colombia or Tanzania on Wednesday.
By Richard Jideaka, Abuja
