Flamingos Receive Invitation To International Friendly Scheduled For China In July

Nigeria’s under-17 women’s national team, Flamingos, have received an invitation to play an international friendly in China during the month of July, which the hosts say will refresh memories of the Olympic Silver medal from the Eagles in Beijing 2008.

Sports247 recalls that the Nigerian under-23 team led by Samson Siasia, with icons such as Chinedu Obasi, Apam Onyekachi, Ebenezer Ajilore and Peter Osaze Odemwingie, lost the football final to the Argentine team captained by Lionel Messi.

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Although 18 years ago, Chinese football fans still remember the impact of the Nigerian team during that year’s Olympic Games football event, and the cadet women are now set to reap the achievements of the under-23 team in Beijing.

This was revealed during a visit by the Chinese Ambassador, His Excellency Yu Dunhai, to the President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, during which both personalities held extensive discussions on collaborations.

While noting that there are already many partnerships and exchange programs between the two countries, Ambassador Dunhai, who is in the second year of his tenure in Nigeria, praised Gusau for his interest in Chinese football.

Ambassador Dunhai added: “Football is a very strong instrument for building unity, because it belongs to the youth, and the youth represents the future. Currently, there are many Nigerian players and coaches in the Chinese League.

“I am always excited to know that Nigeria and China share the same Independence Day: October 1. I had my first knowledge of Nigeria through soccer, when its boys won Olympic gold in soccer in Atlanta in 1996.

“Twelve years later they won the silver medal in China. Their U-17 boys are also very strong and have the largest collection of titles in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. By the way, their first title was in China in 1985.”

He concluded with a hint about the invitation extended to the Flamencos: “Football does not need language. Although our men’s team is not as strong, we are better at women’s soccer and our people enjoy watching the game.”