Head Coach of Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s National Team, Hakeem Busari, has described the qualification campaign for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup as one of the toughest the team has faced, noting that every fixture has carried the intensity and pressure of a final.
Speaking ahead of the team’s next assignment, Busari said the determination of countries across Africa to secure a place at the global tournament has made the qualification series highly competitive.
According to him, the statistics from the qualifying matches reflect how closely contested the games have been, underlining the quality and ambition of teams battling for the available tickets.
“The journey has been very intense because every country wants to qualify for the World Cup. Every match has felt like a final and the numbers from the qualifiers show just how competitive the campaign has been,” he said.
Despite the challenges, the coach expressed confidence in his side’s ability to overcome the final hurdle and secure qualification for the mundial.
Busari revealed that while the immediate priority remains booking a place at the tournament, the technical crew has already started putting plans in place to ensure adequate preparation once qualification is confirmed.
Also speaking, midfielder Chidi Harmony commended the commitment and dedication shown by both the coaching staff and players throughout the campaign.
She praised the collective effort that has brought the team this far and expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness to deliver when it matters most.
“The coaches and players have worked extremely hard during these qualifiers and we are fully prepared for the task ahead,” she said.
Busari further explained that the technical crew has carefully analysed previous performances at the World Cup, identifying areas that require improvement if the team is to compete effectively on the global stage.
He noted that past tournaments exposed certain weaknesses within the team, lessons he believes will prove valuable should the squad return to the competition.
Looking ahead, the coach maintained that preparations for the next phase have already begun, adding that the process of improving the team remains continuous.
“We are working on every aspect of the team and the development process is ongoing. We are proud of the progress made so far and believe continuity will help us achieve even greater growth,” he stated.
Busari also addressed concerns regarding player eligibility, particularly the inclusion of players with experience in higher national teams within the U-17 setup.
He clarified that selection into the squad is guided strictly by the official age regulations, insisting that any player who falls within the stipulated age bracket is eligible to represent the country.
According to him, players earn their place in the team on merit and have the privilege and responsibility of representing Nigeria, provided they remain disciplined, respect the country and understand the pride that comes with wearing the national colours.
A graduate of Federal Polytechnic Ede, she has built experience covering football leagues, tournaments, and major national news events across Nigeria.
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