Flamingoes will celebrate independence with victory over Brazil — Coach

Bala Nikyu, the head coach of the national U-17 female team, Flamingoes, said on Monday that the team would celebrate Nigeria’s 56th Independence Anniversary with victory over Brazil.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria will play against Brazil in her first match of the 5th FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan on Oct. 1.

Nikyu told NAN in Abuja that the best players were selected to represent Nigeria at the World Cup.

“The truth is that they (players) are all good but all of them cannot go to the championship, we only sent five players home and we chose 21.

“They were selected based on their performance in camp, the team is tactically ready for the event, their fitness level is good, communication while playing is hundred percent now.

“We thought them to be fast in making decision; what to do when they have the ball and what is expected from them when the ball is with their opponent.

“We will beat Brazil to record our first victory and to celebrate our nation’s 56th independence anniversary.

“We hope to give Nigerians good result at the end of the World Cup. We ask them to pray for us,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the Flamingoes will depart the country for Jordan on Monday at 3 p.m., aboard Fly Emirate to Dubai and from there to Jordan.

Nigeria is in the same group with Brazil, England and Democratic Republic of Korea, the 2008 champions.

The 5th FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals will hold from Sept. 30 to Oct. 21 in Jordan.