Olufemi Adeyemi 

Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team head coach, Moses Aduku, has charged the country’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, to maintain focus, unity, and discipline as they prepare to represent Nigeria at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco later this month.

Aduku visited the Flamingos’ training camp in Abuja on Monday, where he delivered a motivational message to the young players, reminding them of the significance of the upcoming tournament and the pride of wearing the national colours on the global stage.

“You’ve worked hard to get to this point. Now go out there and make yourselves and Nigeria proud,” Aduku told the players. “Play with confidence, discipline, and the same hunger that has brought you this far.”

The Falconets coach emphasized that their performance in Morocco would not only define their careers but also serve as a reflection of the growth and promise of Nigerian women’s football. He urged the players to approach the competition with teamwork and mental resilience—qualities, he said, that often separate champions from contenders.

Perfect Preparation and Rising Confidence

Aduku commended head coach Bankole Olowookere and his technical crew for their diligent work in preparing the team, noting that the Flamingos’ unbeaten run in friendly matches signals their readiness for the World Cup challenge.

The team has won all ten of their build-up games, scoring 44 goals without conceding any, an achievement Aduku described as “a strong statement of intent and discipline.”

“Your preparation so far speaks volumes about your commitment. Keep that spirit alive in Morocco,” he said.

Rules Awareness and Discipline Session

In a related development, Ameenu Mohammed, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referee Assessor and Special Assistant to the NFF General Secretary, held a special session with the team on the laws of the game.

He urged the players to pair their talent with knowledge and discipline, stressing that understanding the rules could prevent costly mistakes during crucial moments. His presentation covered recent updates in international football regulations, offering practical guidance on how players can maintain composure and awareness during tight matches.

Ready for Morocco

The Flamingos are scheduled to depart Nigeria today (Wednesday) aboard Royal Air Maroc for Morocco, where they will fly the nation’s flag at the tournament.

Drawn in Group D, the team will open its campaign against Canada on October 19, face France on October 22, and wrap up the group stage against Samoa on October 25.

With strong preparation, tactical discipline, and morale-boosting visits from prominent figures in Nigerian football, the Flamingos are aiming to surpass their third-place finish from the 2022 edition in India and make a deeper run in Morocco.