The loss brought an abrupt end to Nigeria’s campaign, which had promised much after an impressive showing in the group stage. Italy opened the scoring through Anna Copelli just before halftime and added three more goals in the second half, with Caterina Venturelli, Giulia Robino, and Rachelle Giudici completing the rout.
Speaking after the match, Olowookere admitted the result was painful but stressed that his young side would draw valuable lessons from the tournament.
“I just have to tender my apology to our fans all over the world,” the coach said. “We are sorry that our journey in this tournament has come to an end. However, there are lessons for us to learn and benefits to take away as well. The exposure and experience the girls have gained here are very important.”
Learning from Defeat
Olowookere described the World Cup as a major learning curve for the players, many of whom were making their international debuts. He encouraged the squad to view the setback as a stepping stone for their budding careers rather than a failure.
“The World Cup is over, but their future lies ahead,” he said. “The end of this tournament does not mean the end of their football careers. They must see this as a learning experience.”
The coach expressed confidence that several players from the current squad have the potential to progress into Nigeria’s higher national teams, including the U-20 Falconets and the senior Super Falcons.
“Some of them are still very young and just beginning to understand what it means to play at this level,” Olowookere noted. “This kind of exposure will go a long way in shaping their careers and making them future superstars.”
A Foundation for Growth
Despite the disappointing scoreline, Olowookere praised his players’ spirit and commitment throughout the competition, insisting that their effort and determination were commendable.
“I give credit to them. I cannot blame them. They tried their best. They are young girls who are still developing themselves, and I believe there are good lessons to learn from this tournament. It’s not a total loss. That’s why they came—to gain experience and improve.”
Looking ahead, the coach said his focus would now shift toward sustaining the development momentum and preparing the next generation of players for upcoming international competitions.
“This may be the end of the road for Nigeria in this World Cup, but the journey starts now,” he explained. “We have to keep the girls busy, keep improving them, and continue to produce more players because, compared to the boys, they are catching up fast.”
Hope for the Future
Olowookere expressed optimism that the experience gained in Morocco would translate into long-term progress for women’s football in Nigeria.
“In the next five years, you will see more talented players emerging, competing strongly with the boys,” he said. “I am happy that FIFA has taken this initiative. It is a great opportunity for the girl child, and they will take advantage of it to develop further.”
With the 2022 bronze medallists now out of the competition, attention will turn to preparations for the qualifying series of next year’s U-17 Women’s World Cup, which is set to become an annual event.