After a four-hour, twenty-minute flight, the team reached Casablanca safely on Wednesday in advance of the international tournament, which begins on October 17.
When the Flamingos encountered Taribo West at the Abuja airport, he took the chance to give words of support and a sincere prayer for the team’s success.
The fervently religious former Inter Milan defender encouraged the girls to follow in the footsteps of the Super Falcons, who took home the WAFCON championship in July.
“Exercise extreme discipline. No matter where I am, I will be praying for you and keeping an eye on you. I think you’ll bring the trophy back to Nigeria. You will carry that cup, just like your older sisters did a few months ago,” he continued.
Noting that professionalism starts with discipline, he reminded the players of the value of following directions and exercising self-control on and off the field.
“Pay close attention to what your coaches are telling you,” he said.
“I spent thirty years as a professional football player. Because of our friendship, my discipline, and my mentality, one of my former supervisors invited me to France, where I am now.
Taribo urged the players to maintain their concentration and cautioned them against becoming sidetracked by outside pressure while playing.
“Play whatever the coach says. Don’t follow the herd. The crowd will take you out if you listen to them. However, he said, “even the coach will like you and want you to play if you listen to him.”
He urged the girls to rely on discipline and collaboration as he wrapped off his speech if they wanted to win the World Cup.
“You will get grace from God. If you want something, you will get it. Bless the person who plays if the coach doesn’t play you. Offer your prayers for the player.
“The team will experience a certain kind of strength, unitedness, force, and amazing performance as you are doing that.”
On Wednesday night, the Flamingos, who are presently staying at the Ibis Hotel in Casablanca, had a brief training session. They will play two friendlies against Paraguay and New Zealand while they are there before traveling to Marrakech to start their World Cup campaign.
Nigeria, Canada, France, and Samoa are all selected for Group D. After winning all ten of their practice games and scoring 44 goals without giving up any, the team will enter the competition with a lot of confidence.
