Flamingos’ Victory Not A Fluke, Performance Reflects Years Of Development – Coach Busari

Flamingos head coach Hakeem Busari has praised his players for their resilience and tactical discipline after their impressive campaign at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, while expressing optimism about African football’s future.

Busari in a post-match interview, said the performance of African teams at the tournament reflected growing quality, character and competitiveness, despite the challenges posed by strong opposition.

The Flamingos became the first African team to win the competition, with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku securing the historic victory.

He noted that the Flamingos had competed in a difficult group that included the defending champions, adding that the experience demonstrated the progress being made in African women’s youth football.

“What we are seeing now is not a fluke. It is about development, it is about character, and it is about fighting from the beginning to really get it right. So we are elated and happy,” he said.

The coach also expressed hope that more African teams would progress beyond the knockout stages in future editions of the competition and eventually reach the final.

Reflecting on the Flamingos’ encounter with Japan, Busari explained that his technical crew had identified the Japanese team’s strength in winning second balls and exploiting spaces behind defensive lines.



He said the team adjusted its approach to limit Japan’s attacking opportunities, particularly by directing long balls into spaces rather than areas where the opposition could easily gain possession.

Busari explained that the Flamingos initially sought to score early before adopting a more cautious approach after taking the lead, but Japan eventually found an equaliser through a set-piece situation.

He described the encounter as a tactical contest that required collective defending, discipline and effective game management.

According to him, the final stages of the match presented additional challenges as fatigue and anxiety began to affect the young players.

“The young girls are tired. We have to manage their mental scenario at that point in time. We have to manage the tactics where they need to just hustle for the ball, play fewer touches and play to the zones where the Japanese are less at home,” he explained.

He identified dedication, determination and discipline as key principles that guided the team’s approach.

“We need to play to our own strengths, not to the opposition’s strengths. Because if we open the game, they are quicker and they can get more one-v-ones,” he said.

The coach added that the Flamingos deliberately pressed Japan to force long balls, which would give them opportunities to recover possession and launch attacks.

Busari also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation and Nigerians at home and abroad for their support throughout the competition.

He particularly acknowledged Nigerians living in Morocco who travelled to support the team, as well as messages of encouragement from other African countries, including Ghana, Zambia and Kenya.

He said the support and prayers from across the continent had provided additional motivation for the team.