Flamingos player Aliima Attervall Alase ‘a little sad’ but grateful

Flamingo defender Aliima Attervall Alase has expressed her gratitude for the opportunity and winning the ‘Golden Bronze’ with Nigeria Women’s U-17 team in India.

The Sweden-born Nigerian defender was part of the Nigeria Women’s U-17 team that won the Bronze medal in India but didn’t get to play any minute.

Aliima Attervall Alase said it was a great honour for her to wear the Nigerian jersey and represent the country and thanked her coach, teammates, and the FA for the opportunity.

“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,” said Alase according to Tobi Samuel.

“I knew I must not let the opportunity slide. I gave it all I 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.”

Aliima Attervall Alase, 16, then expressed her sadness at not playing a single minute for Nigeria at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India.

She explains that she understands the situation and is only grateful for the opportunity.

“Yes, I am a little sad that I 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.”

On what is next after the U17 tournament, Alase said she hopes to mature into the first team of IFK Göteborg of Sweden in order to garner ample experience and hopefully come back to represent Nigeria at the Under 20 level in two years’ time.