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Nigeria's U17 women's team coach Bankole Olowookere has issued an apology for the team's performance at the 2025 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup. The Flamingos entered the Women's World Cup in Morocco with high hopes, but their campaign concluded in a wave of disappointment and introspection. Under the guidance of coach Bankole, the team's pre-tournament form was flawless, marked by a series of victories in friendlies without conceding a single goal. However, the promising start quickly unravelled once the tournament began. The Flamingos crashed out of the tournament after a heavy 4-0 defeat to Italy. Bankole apologises to Nigerians The campaign took a disastrous turn with a 4-1 defeat to Canada, followed by a narrow 1-0 loss to France. A convincing 4-0 victory over debutants Samoa offered a glimmer of hope, securing Nigeria a spot in the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams. Following the losses, Coach Olowookere accepted full responsibility for the team's underwhelming performance. "First of all, I want to apologise to our fans all over the world," he stated. "We’re sorry it had to end this way. “There are lessons to learn and positives to take home. I’m proud of the girls because they gave their best." The early exit could also impact Olowookere's chances for the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year award. Once considered a strong contender, the World Cup results may have shifted the odds in favour of other nominees, such as Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu.
