News
Coach Kuforiji Olusola Warns Flamingos Against Defensive Lapses Ahead of Benin Return Leg
Head Coach of Samba Tornadoes Football Club, Coach Kuforiji Olusola, has expressed concerns over the defensive performance of Nigeria’s Flamingos despite their 3-2 victory over the Benin Republic in the first leg of the final qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
READ ALSO: Flamingos Coach Akeem Busari Warns Nigeria Against Complacency After 5-0 Win Over Guinea
Speaking with Sports247 after the thrilling encounter at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, the experienced tactician described the result as a risky one, urging Coach Akeem Busari to address the team’s defensive weaknesses before the decisive second leg.
“It’s quite a big risk for the Flamingos with the first-leg result,” Kuforiji said. “Coach Akeem Busari needs to work more on the defensive line ahead of the second leg because conceding two goals at home could become costly.”
Nigeria had to come from behind to secure a narrow advantage after Benin’s Young Amazons took an early lead through Yenido Romaine Gandonou in the 14th minute.
The Flamingos responded positively, with Queen Joseph restoring parity in the 24th minute before Oluwakemi Adegbuyi put the hosts ahead in the 62nd minute.
However, Benin once again showed resilience as Nazifatou Dangui levelled matters ten minutes later, raising concerns over Nigeria’s defensive organisation.
Kindness Ifeanyi eventually scored the winning goal in the 75th minute to hand the Flamingos a slim 3-2 victory and a narrow advantage heading into the return fixture.
Despite praising the team’s fighting spirit and attacking quality, Kuforiji believes the two goals conceded have left the tie finely balanced.
“The Flamingos showed character to keep coming back and find the winning goal, but they must be more disciplined defensively. At this level, small mistakes can make a huge difference.”
Nigeria will now travel to Lomé, Togo, for the second leg scheduled for July 11 at the Stade de Kégué, Benin Republic’s adopted home ground.
The winner on aggregate will secure one of Africa’s coveted tickets to the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, set to take place from October 17 to November 7.
With qualification now within touching distance, all eyes will be on Coach Busari and his young side to see whether they can tighten up defensively and finish the job away from home.
News
Super Falcons Were Determined To Win, But Lost To South Africa Because Of Individual Errors – Madugu
Nigeria’s female national team, Super Falcons’ head coach, Justine Madugu has blamed his side’s loss to South Africa on individual errors by some of his players, but conceded that he has to take full responsibility for the defeat.
Sports247 reports that Thursday night’s 2-1 slump in Casablanca, Morocco means the Falcons have failed to reach the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since it’s inception in 1991 and Madugu admitted he deeply regrets the setback.
Read Also: ‘This Is a Wake-Up Call’ — Ajibade Urges Super Falcons to Rise After Historic World Cup Failure | Sports247 Nigeria
He, however, commended his players for what he described as their gallant efforts and determination, then repeatedly apologised for the unprecedented yet historic setback at this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026).
“I have to apologise to Nigerians for our inability to make it to the World Cup,” said the WAFCON 2024 winner in the same North African country. “We are very sorry, because it was not our intention to lose.
“Our players were determined to win, and they gave their all, but individual errors cost us the game. I am sorry and I take full responsibility for what happened, but there will always be a next time.”
Madugu continued to reflect on what went wrong during the play-off fixture, which was a last chance for the Falcons to stay in the race to Brazil 2027, and the embattled tactician admitted that his players lost too many scoring chances during the game.
“There were individual errors in terms of decision making. We had some chances but conversion was our problem. We were determined to win and it’s something that we really regret.
“We wanted to win, but we could; and we are sorry about it. This is something that has happened already, and there’s nothing we can do about it. I am sorry,” Madugu reiterated lamely.
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