By Daniel Edu

Randy Waldrum, the head coach of the Super Falcons of Nigeria, strongly believes that his team is underappreciated by FIFA, despite being ranked 40th in the world. He points out that the Super Falcons have an impressive track record, with a record 11 African Women’s titles and consistent appearances at the Women’s World Cup since 1991. Despite these achievements, Nigeria’s ranking is lower than some other countries that have not accomplished as much.

In the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup, the Super Falcons have demonstrated their strength by defeating Australia, drawing with Canada, and also holding their ground against the higher-ranked Republic of Ireland. Coach Waldrum asserts that the team’s performance shows they deserve a higher ranking than 40th in the world.

While his position as head coach may be uncertain, Waldrum reveals that he has been in contact with several Nigerian footballers based in the US who are eager to play for the Super Falcons. Since his appointment in 2020, more Nigerian-American players have joined the team, including Michelle Alozie, Esther Okoronkwo, Ifeoma Onumonu, Yewande Balogun, Toni Payne, Jennifer Echegini, and Nicole Payne.

These players have shown improved cohesion during the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, bouncing back from a challenging performance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco the previous year.

Moreover, Waldrum highlights that he has been approached by U-17 and U-20 coaches who have talented players willing to represent Nigeria. He also looks forward to recruiting players from England for future tournaments, especially the Olympics.

In summary, Randy Waldrum firmly believes that the Super Falcons deserve more recognition from FIFA, given their achievements and strong performance on the world stage. He remains optimistic about building a formidable team with the inclusion of talented Nigerian footballers from various countries.