Some sports stakeholders have expressed happiness over Nigeria’s Flamingos’ 3-1 victory over Brazil to reach the final of the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Thursday in Lagos that the team deserved the victory.
According to football fans, the team has made history as the first African team to reach a FIFA Women’s World Cup final.
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Harrison Jalla, a former footballer and Chairman of the Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Initiative, commended the players and their coaching crew.
He said the team’s performance had been inspiring, particularly at a time when the morale of Nigerian football supporters had been low.
Jalla said Nigeria’s national teams, both male and female, had struggled to achieve significant results in recent years.
He described the Flamingos’ achievement as a renewed hope for Nigerian football, adding that Nigerians were excited and hopeful of winning the trophy.
“It’s a good result so far. The players have exhibited maturity and deserve to be in the final, with the potential to win the trophy.
“It’s also a great achievement because we are the first African team to reach the final of a FIFA women’s World Cup competition.
“They are a very confident team and indeed have the potential to win the trophy and make the country very happy,” Jalla said.
Another football fan, Olakunle Ishola, said the team had the potential to lift the trophy because of its quality and sound technical preparation.
He congratulated the players on reaching the final and expressed confidence in their ability to win the competition.
“It’s a great development. The girls and their coaching crew have made us proud and indeed have the potential to win the trophy.
“I can only wish the team well after coming this far at the FIFA Mundial. I am confident they will bring the trophy home,” Ishola said.
Stella Anosike, a grassroots football coach, said the team had lived up to expectations and deserved commendation for its performance.
She said the Flamingos had demonstrated resilience after losing their opening match against Poland, recovering strongly to reach the final.
“Indeed, the team deserves a lot of praise for its exploits and mental discipline in achieving these credible results.
“They look good enough to win the trophy and make the continent proud,” Anosike said.
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