NIGERIA SWEDEN BORN ALIIMA ATTERVALL ALASE WOMEN'S U-17 SQUAD DEFENDER

Nigeria's Aliima Attervall Alase, a star U17 player, has expressed her thanks for being a part of the renowned Flamingos squad that placed third at the 2022 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in India.

The Nigerian defender, who was born in Sweden, was a member of the Nigeria Women's U-17 squad that took bronze in India but didn't get to play for a single minute.

"It has always been a dream for me to wear the of Nigeria so when an invite was extended to me to come to try out in camp, I knew must not let the opportunity slide. I gave it all had and I'm grateful that it was enough to be among the privileged ones that made it to India.

"I want to use this medium to thank our coach, Coach Bankole, the entire members of the backroom staff, my teammates, fans, and the Football Federation for giving me the chance to represent the country."

The 16-year-old Aliima Attervall Alase then expressed her sadness over the fact that she did not get to play for Nigeria at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India.

She says that while she recognizes the circumstances, all she can say is that she is grateful for the chance.

"Yes, I am a little sad that didn't get to feature but I understand the fact that the team had momentum, and sometimes, coaches do not want to disrupt it.

"That doesn't stop my happiness with this golden bronze medal I have which I will cherish for life."

After the U17 competition, Alase expressed her desire to develop into the first team of Swedish club IFK Göteborg in order to get valuable experience and, ideally, return to represent Nigeria at the Under 20 level in two years.