Are Nigerian Flamingos Now Genuine World Cup Title Contenders Following Brutal Win Against Korea Republic?

Looking Ahead Post-Win Against Korea Republic

This shocking loss experienced by mighty Korea Republic highlights to me the importance of playing friendly matches against the right opponents.

In North Korea's last 13 consecutive wins, none came against an African opponent. In fact, despite being known as a mercilessly ruthless, high-scoring side, the last African team they faced - Cameroon, last year - it ended in a slim 2:1 victory to them.

So, yes, it is plausible to suggest that, despite their laudable pedigree, North Korea age-grade teams are vulnerable to African strength, pace, physicality, and athleticism, particularly when this is baked in the oven of technical prowess, football intelligence and tactical discipline that our players exhibited yesterday.

Nigeria as well lost to Poland in the opening match simply because we failed to play European opposition prior to the tournament. If our Nigerian and Polish twain should meet again, me thinks the outcome will be different in favour of Nigeria now that our girls have already locked horns agaisnt oppositions from 3 continents in the tournament.

So long as that "Nigerian Complacency" doesn't creep in; so long as our coach bucks the terrible trend of Nigerian coaches by showing adaptability, flexibility and focus in the direction he gives his players; so long as the players themselves don't think "they have arrived" because of this serendipitous victory against North Korea (which actually more revealed Korean weaknesses than it did Nigerian strengths), THEN I THINK THESE GIRLS HAVE IT IN THEM TO TASTE THE TARMAC OF THE PODIUM IN THE TOURNAMENT.

Good luck Busari; Good luck Flamingos!