Flamingoes coach, Bala Nkiyu has assured quality representation of his wards at the 2014 Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.
The Azerbaijan 2012 quarterfinalists are pitched in Group D with Mexico, China People’s Republic and Colombia.
Nkiyu who witnessed the draw in Pueblo Antiguo said though he is a newcomer in the youth cadre he is positive to raise a side that will go further than their predecessors when hostilities commence on March 15.
“Though I’ll be handling the Under-17 women’s cadre for the first time at the global competition I’ve been there at higher level severally and quite understand what the terrain demands so I don’t think we’ll encounter any problem.
“People are wont to react differently on the opponents that won’t count rather what counts are for us to prepare adequately to face whoever that comes on our way.
“It will amount to sheer deception to write off any side as cheap at this stage of the competition, we’ll do our homework well and take our chances.
“Our immediate predecessors finished their campaign at the quarterfinal stage, of course, it’s natural for everybody to expect us to go beyond that stage.
“Our desire is not only to cross the quarterfinal hurdle but actually contest for the title. Nigeria is a force at the youth cadre so we won’t just make up the numbers but ensure our presence is felt strongly in the championship.
“We’ll reconvene on January 6 to commence intense preparations for the World Cup, we’re most likely to engage ourselves in test matches before heading off to the event,” said the former Super Falcons assistant coach to supersport.com.
The nation’s campaigners will play their first game on March 16 against Colombia at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, Alajuela while their next game will be against China PR on March 19 and Mexico on March 23 at the Estadio Nacionale de Costa Rica, San Jose.
The best two teams in each group will proceed to the knockout stage of the biennial global football showpiece.
SUPERSPORT
