Bala Nkiyu, the Head Coach of Nigeria U-17 Women national team, says he is upbeat on moulding Flamingoes that will replicate the success of the Nigeria U-17 boys at 2014 U-17 Women World Cup in Costa Rica.
The competition scheduled for Costa Rica will hold from March 15 to April 4 in four cities in the host country with 16 countries participating.
Bala led U-17 women team who is assisted by Coach Ann Chiejine started preparation for the women international age-grade tournament by re-opening camp on January 6th after short-break last year.
Coach Bala assured the Nigeria Football family and supporters that his team will not be a disappointment, stressing that he and his technical crew are diligently working hard closely to assemble a strong and competitive team that is capable of beating any other in the
tournament.
“I am hopeful we could build a team good enough to become a World Champions like the Golden Eaglets at the World Cup in Costa Rica. It is going to be tough but we are prepared for the rigour. I and my technical crew are currently working hard to produce a very strong team that will make the country proud.”
The former assistant coach to the one-time Super Falcons’ Coach Uche Eucharia, further stated that he is optimistic on raising a formidable team before the 31st of January, as well as meet FIFA deadline for
provisional list submission.
The former Niger Tornadoes tactician said his team is undergoing training and screening activities and restated his focus on ensuring the best is picked for various department of the team. “We are determined to assemble a team to beat our opponents and hope to meet the Jan 31 deadline for the provisional 30-player list.
“We are undergoing screening and training exercise at moment and hope to begin friendly matches very soon,” he added. He said that 34 players are left in camp after two were dropped yesterday and more are expected to leave as he hopes to trim the team’s size to 30.
The Flamingoes would play in Group D with China Peoples Republic, Mexico and Colombia in the finals of the competition.
The tournament will be played across four stadiums, three in San Jose and another in Liberia, between March 15 and April 4 2014. Nigeria qualified for the finals of the Under-17 competition
effortlessly as they never kicked the ball following opponents, Sierra Leone surprised withdrawal for logistic reasons.
The Nigerian girls will be determined to go beyond the quarter final stage in 2010, 2012 which is the furthest they have gone since the inception of the tournament.
