The friendly match played in Kocaeli between the Galatasaray Women’s Football Team and the Nigerian U17 Women’s Football National Team ended with the Nigerian team’s superiority of 4-1. Underlining that they gave a very good test after the match, Nigerian team coach Olowookere Bankole said, “We borrow our shoes from white people, we borrow them from men in Africa. We are still a developing country.”
A friendly match was played between the Nigerian U17 Women’s Football National Team, which has been working at Kocaeli Edis Sports Complex for a while, and the Galatasaray Women’s Football Team. The winner of the friendly match, in which both teams tested their form, was the Nigerian team with a score of 4-1. Prepared for the World Cup, the Nigerian team will play a friendly match against Fenerbahçe in Samandıra on November 4.
“IT WAS A VERY GOOD MATCH FOR US”
Nigeria team coach Olowookere Bankole made a statement after the match. Bankole said, “We came to Turkey and had a good preparation period before the World Cup. It was a very good match for us. We have seen our level and this is pleasing for us.”
“WE ARE A NEW COUNTRY, WE BELIEVE WE WILL COME TO A GOOD LEVEL”
Giving information about the situation of women’s football in Nigeria, Bankole said, “There are countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the USA in women’s football, but we are a country that is just starting out. We are trying to motivate our girls more and take them to a better level like men. We are gradually succeeding, We believe it will reach a good level,” he said.
“WE BORD OUR SHOES”
Stating that they have limited means and need economic support, Bankole said, “Morocco and South Africa are also doing well among African countries. But we borrow our shoes from white people, we borrow from men in Africa. We are still a developing country. In terms of economy, too. We are not enough. We want to be successful in the U17, U20 and A team categories with a good development program. We do not have such a budget at the moment. We need to program them and support them economically,” he said.
“There is almost no place in the world I haven’t been to, I have never seen such a beautiful facility”
Finally, Olowookere Bankole, who also evaluated the working process in Kocaeli, said, “I have been coaching for 20 years. There is almost no place in the world that I have not been to. I have never seen such a facility, such a city. It was very nice and we had a wonderful working process. I hope such a facility will be built in our country as well. ‘ he said.