2016 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Ogbala criticizes Flamingoes’ finishing against England

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2016 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Ogbala criticizes Flamingoes’ finishing against England

Former head coach of Nasarawa Amazons, Obi Ogbala, has blamed Nigeria’s U-17 women team’s poor finishing in front of goal, for their 0-0 draw with England on Tuesday.
The Flamingoes were seeking to pick up their first win at the 2016 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Jordan, after losing 1-0 to Brazil, but had to settle for one point.

Nigeria now go into their last group fixture against DPR Korea, hoping to qualify for the quarter-final.

“Though they did better than the first match but is was the finishing that was poor. They were very wasteful and failed to fire accurately at the goal,” Ogbala said in an interview with Goal.

“It was a must win game seeing that we lost our first match and the lack of exposure to good facilities and stage fright were part reasons why they could not do well.

“The coordination was not there, though I must commend the defenders who impressed defensively despite we were not tested too well. But we truly lacked a point man because I could not see any of them as they could not score a goal.”

Ogbala also warned Bala Nikyu’s girls, to be more clinical against Korea and use possession effectively.

“The North Koreans are very good, we must make do with our possession and use the wings if they cannot get goals through the corner kicks, then they can try the wings,” he continued.

“They have to play their game and avoid trying to impress. They were a bit fine defensively but they must not loose concentration. We have to be careful against the Koreans because they are tough.

“We need to keep control of their game and convert our chance because the Koreans are fast on the ball and managing a 3-3 comeback draw against England after three goals up to draw which show their endurance and confident level.

“I will advise coach Nikyu to do more psyching up the players and the captain overworking herself. They show a bit of improvement than against Brazil.

“If we can work more on our organisation and be more clinical with their finishing, I believe the will scale through if they work on this areas.

“But the group is still open if we beat North Korea then well hope England and Brazil settles for draw. If they can calm their nerves and build from the defence to attack and get our goals.”