Flamingos: ‘We want to win for Africa’

Joseph: ‘Argentina 2022 spirit guiding Flamingos’

Argentina fell to defeat in their opener against Saudi Arabia before going on to win the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. They were just the second nation to achieve that following Spain 12 years earlier.

Just shy of four years on from their triumph over France, La Albiceleste have inspired a fightback of their own, writes fifa.com.

Nigeria, after losing their curtain-raiser to Poland, became the second nation since 2014 to recover and reach the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup decider following a well-earned 3-1 semi-final win over Brazil.

“We took the Argentina spirit from the (2022) World Cup after losing our first game,” an overjoyed Queen Joseph, who scored the opener, told FIFA. “They came back and won the trophy, so we are also hoping that with the help of God Almighty we are going to win the trophy.

“I feel very happy. Playing in the final is a big privilege, representing my country in the final is a big privilege for me. I’m super proud of myself and my team because we made history. We are not here just representing Nigeria; we are here representing Africa as a whole.”

The Flamingos were, simply put, a class above their South American counterparts on Wednesday night.

The Akeem Busari’s side recorded 35 shots on goal compared to seven from Brazil, while the Seleção’s only effort on target came through Greise Kelly’s 89th-minute consolation.

“It’s an awesome thing, it’s a great achievement,” Busari said. “Reaching the final is a plus for our country, it’s a plus for our football. We are happy, the class are happy.

“It was a key contest and it wasn’t an easy one. Brazil really showed the stuff they have technically, but we tried to really block the view of their passing line, so we had to show character. (We played) really, really bravely. We appreciate the class because they are young, we could only encourage them and tell them what they need to do to make the final.”

Awawu Bashiru stole the show. The No 11 hadn’t started any of Nigeria’s six matches and had only played just 73 minutes, but she rewarded her coach for the faith instilled in her with two goals.

“Today was my first start, so I’m so happy, I’m so excited,” Bashiru said, clutching her Player of the Match trophy like a newborn baby. “I’m so proud of myself, my team-mates, my coach and the teamwork. We did it, and it was not an easy task. I thank God. I’m grateful.”

The Flamingos will now take on Japan in the nation’s first U-17 Women’s World Cup final. Defeating odds-on favourites, and fellow AFC giants, DPR Korea 3-1 during the groups has given Busari a blueprint to work from.

“It’s just about showing the same character and playing the same way we played with North Korea, because they play with the same philosophy,” Busari stated. “They want to build the ball, they look at the high line of passes, they want their full-backs to support, so we really want to look at all that.

“I’m excited and I’m happy and the class were happy, but we just really want to pick up the trophy. That would be the icing on the cake.”