NFF and Super Falcons Coach Engaged in a Heated Conflict
NFF and Super Falcons Coach Engaged in a Heated Conflict
Trouble brews within the realm of women's football in Nigeria. A significant divide has emerged between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Randy Waldrum, the coach of the Super Falcons. This chasm possesses the potential to undermine the country's aspirations at the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Tomorrow, the Super Falcons are scheduled to embark on their journey from Abuja to Australia, where they will undergo a 15-day training camp in preparation for the World Cup. Brisbane will serve as their base and will also host two of their group matches.
In Abuja today, the Nigerian First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, will host a dinner to bid farewell to the team.
However, the head coach, Waldrum, is dissatisfied with the NFF due to what he perceives as insufficient preparations for the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup taking place this July.
Nigeria's first match will be against the Olympic champions, Canada, at Melbourne's Rectangular Stadium on July 21. Following that, they will face co-hosts Australia and the Republic of Ireland on July 27 and July 31, respectively, at Lang Park in Brisbane.
"I am aware that we are not adequately prepared, and I have been extremely frustrated with the NFF and their lack of support," expressed the coach. "Initially, we were scheduled to have a 10-12 day training camp in Nigeria before heading to Australia for an additional 10-15 days. However, the federation abruptly canceled the camp in Nigeria."
Rather than seeking resolution with the team, the NFF Communications Director, Ademola Olajire, chose to criticize Waldrum for disclosing certain incidents that occurred behind closed doors.
Ademola disregarded Waldrum's assertions as unfounded and even referred to the coach as ignorant.
"Firstly, we must consider when the European season concluded. The coach requested a two-week camp exclusively for locally-based players. Two weeks ago, he finalized his list of 23 players. There was absolutely no need for further training for the locally-based players, except to squander resources."
Instead of acknowledging his evident shortcomings, he continues to make reckless statements. He is well aware that he will be without Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimatu Ayinde for the opening match against Canada, yet he omitted Ngozi Okobi and Regina Otu from the squad. His sudden outbursts are nothing more than an afterthought. It is disconcerting that he chooses to speak up merely three days before the team's departure to the World Cup," stated Olaijire.
It should be noted that Rasheedat Ajibade will be unavailable for the first two games of the World Cup due to a previously upheld suspension.
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