Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-04-11 04:12:25
Randy Waldrum, the head coach of the Super Falcons, has made a plea to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to provide adequate support for the team as they prepare for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. The Olympic Games will take place from July 24 to August 11, and Nigeria’s women’s national football team has qualified for the event after defeating South Africa 1-0 on aggregate.
The Super Falcons secured their first Olympic Games appearance in 16 years by winning the first leg in Abuja 1-0 and playing out a goalless draw in Pretoria in the second leg. Despite clinching the ticket to Paris, the team’s preparation for the play-off was subpar, with some players arriving in Abuja just a day before the first leg. In contrast, South Africa began preparations for the two-legged tie two weeks before the first leg and arrived in Abuja ahead of some Nigerian players.
In Paris, Nigeria will be placed in Group C alongside world champions Spain, Brazil, and Japan, in what has been dubbed the ‘Group of Death’ by football experts. Nevertheless, Waldrum remains undaunted by the reputation of his team’s opponents, citing the Super Falcons’ ability to challenge any team with the right preparation, as demonstrated at the World Cup where they narrowly missed out on eliminating eventual finalists England.
Looking ahead to the Olympic Games, Waldrum emphasized the need for proper preparation, including a camp in Europe, adequate training facilities, transportation, and overall attention to detail. He acknowledged the tough competition that awaits in Tokyo, noting that every team at the Olympics is of a high caliber, similar to the World Cup.
Reflecting on the victory over African champions South Africa, Waldrum praised the organization and discipline displayed by the Super Falcons, contrasting it with the verbal bravado of the South African team. He highlighted the importance of converting scoring opportunities, which proved decisive in securing the Olympic qualification.
In conclusion, Waldrum expressed his confidence in the Super Falcons’ ability to compete at the highest level and hinted at plans to review and improve their performance ahead of the Olympics. By focusing on solid preparation and execution, he believes that Nigeria can make a strong impression in Paris and potentially exceed their achievements at previous international tournaments.
