The Coach of the Flamingoes Bala Nkiyu has lauded his team for posting a five star performance against China PR in Group D’s opener at the 2014 Fifa U17 Women’s World Cup.
Goals from Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu were all the Flamingoes needed to tame the hard fighting Asians in the game played at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela yesterday.
Speaking after the game, the coach refused to single out any player for commendation but attributed the victory to a collective display.
“I don’t want to mention any player because they all did well, its team work. They played for themselves to win,” Nkiyu said.
The Asians found their way back into the game when captain Fan Yugiu calmly finished Yan Liu’s cross. The Chinese continued to press for an equaliser during the final 25 minutes but the Nigerian backline marshaled by Ologboshere held firm.
“We played better in the first half, it is normal when down in any match you want to brace up – so I’m not surprised that China fought hard in the second half as they were already down, unless the final whistle is blown they will still want to fight back.
“In a competition you must improve match after match and when you are able to win the first match you are able to play more relaxed in the next,” he concluded.
Nigeria will take on Colombia that lost 4-0 to Mexico in their next game on Wednesday (Thursday 3am Nigeria time).
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