Football fans have expressed confidence in Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The fans, who spoke in separate interviews in Lagos on Wednesday, said the victory had boosted the team’s chances of reaching the knockout stage and urged the players to maintain their momentum ahead of their final group match against North Korea.
Tope Falana described the encounter against Puerto Rico as tough but praised the players for their teamwork and determination. She acknowledged North Korea’s strong form but expressed confidence that Nigeria could secure the result needed to advance.
Seun Osibote also commended the team’s hard work and courage, saying the players had the potential to produce another strong performance against North Korea.
Ngozi Okafor said keeping a clean sheet against Puerto Rico was important and expressed faith in the team despite its opening-match defeat.
Femi Fawaz, a grassroots football coach in Lagos, described the Flamingos as technically sound, quick and compact in defence, adding that they had the quality to reach the next round.
Nigeria will face North Korea on Friday in a decisive group match. North Korea has won both its matches, beating Puerto Rico 6-0 and Poland 6-1.
Poland’s heavy defeat has also improved Nigeria’s goal-difference position ahead of the final group fixtures.
A draw against North Korea would guarantee Nigeria a top-two finish in the group, regardless of the result between Poland and Puerto Rico. However, a defeat would leave the Flamingos with three points and could force them to depend on the best third-placed teams’ standings to progress.
