By Victor Enyinnaya on August 8, 2023

For those that watched yesterday’s round of 16 epic show-down between England and Nigeria; it was the best game ever by the Nigerians.  Before that make or break encounter, many analysts and football buffs gave the African Queens no chance but that it will be basket full of goals if the pedigree of their opponent was anything to rely upon.

However, it is instructive to note that the Nigerians and her coach; Randy Waldrum were talking tough and gave some glimmer of hope on the game.  We saw the setting and the eventual out come of that game of wits and brawns.  I still thumb up for the Super Falcons players and the bench led by the American technical hand.  Our girls played their hearts out and stretched the encounter beyond the expectations of many football followers.   For giving their highly rated day’s opponent the raw deal would, for ever remain reference point in the annals of World Women Cup history.  

The Nigerian girls were not given chance of any kind than that England would make mince meat of them.  But Super Falcons gave great account of themselves and the future of the game in Nigeria and Africa if proper attention is given to it.  It further sounds that note of warning that the sport has been drastically bridged between the so called football powers and the upcoming ones like Nigeria who have made significant impact in the game.

It further showed that it is now a tin line between teams like England and other bigger names in the act that time is drastically running out against them as the rest are keenly; determinedly and closely chasing to catch up with them.  The round of 16 game yesterday brought up many good lessons for Nigeria and the rest who want to learn how to grow the game.

For Nigeria, the Super Falcons’ efforts yet again represented the very usual resilient instincts that are associated with Nigerian people whenever the going gets tougher. The girls not only were very fit and worked so hard to wall off European champions from disgracing them, they held their heads up for the 120 minutes breathe taking nitty- gritty of a game.

The coach showed his technical and tactical depth as the players strictly played to instruction everyone covered up for each other which that team sport called football is all about.  It is worthy of note that every player of the Nigerian side ensured she did close marking and one would pick Nnnadozie in goal as one of the girls who further frustrated the Lionesses of England which led to stalemate in full time and extended same to the extra time before that game of luck called penalty ensued.

The match plan by Randy Waldrum was so clinical that English bench was on their toes through out the game. The American Nigerian technical hand also showed that he is capable of giving the team leeway if the football authorities in the country want the team to grow and do better in the next World and other subsequent champions which would be run up.

He was once quoted to have said that he has discovered many more talented Nigerian girls abroad who are so and very willing to lace their boots for the country, if given the opportunity of showcasing such. To be honest with you, it remains a most welcome development as number of players may wish to retire from the present first eleven of the team as it stands now.  As we saw, a caliber of coach like Waldrum is still much needed in Super Falcons fold to further harness the potentials of the game in the girls.  We also saw the kind of stuff he is made of technically.  We saw distinctive way and manner he approached the four games he led the team and clean and clear break executed.

We saw the direction and always instant response by the girls who played their hearts out in each game as they kept improving in every outing.  It showed that Waldrum meant business and knows the destination he wants to lead Nigeria‘s Women football to.

The best way forward in my thinking would be for Ibrahim Gusau led NFF executive committee to bring him to the table and iron out gray areas and then smoothen rough edges for the good of the game at that level.  Indicators show that with great working relationship with him strictly without breaches, the American coach would impact beautifully in game at that level.

Randy Waldrum has come to be more at home with the team and especially knows the strengths and weaknesses of each player.  He knows how to work amicably on them and carries all along via team work.  The players in turn have imbibed strictly with his techniques and tactical approach to the game we saw such vividly manifested against England match especially.

The kind of robust football Super Falcons displayed yesterday even was great shock to the English side which made the bench held her breathe in their hand until the highly tension and sweat soaked was won and lost via penalty shoot out.

Super Falcons held their heads high after the encounter as it gave great account of herself not conceding any goal against a dreaded team like England that paraded World bests in her line up. The kind of stuff Super Falcons showed yesterday gave out Waldrum as a highly tactical handler who reads between the lines in the game of football.  

His profile further grew after he led Nigeria against England.  No analyst or pundit gave Nigeria chance of holding England for just ten minutes without conceding goals. His comportment and tenacity to his Super Falcons job remains instructive.

If the NFF like a leopard would hide its many spots and attend to this coach if he would graciously accept to remain as head coach of our flagship Women team, then there must be drastic change of heart, attitude and sundry by his employers to enable him full concentration for the task ahead.  If he still shows keen interest to continue,  it then means that the talented players he said he discovered would be blended into the team to throw up a formidable squad to beat both in Africa and the rest of the world in future engagements.     

NFF and the man have to sit down for frank talks if Nigeria wants to improve on the current status at the Women World Cup level.  He has shown some in-depth great measure of technicality and the only way would be to get him stay on.

The row that brewed between him and NFF one believes must have been properly cleared and clean break enthroned.  That exchange enroute the World must be clearly nipped on the bud by the Ibrahim Gusau’s NFF board going forward.  There is nothing great that comes out of controversy or scandal. The time to give Super Falcons vigour and vitality is now by holding tight to Randy Waldrum once he signifies his willingness to continue with our girls. Nigeria and the team have lots to learn and gain from him and we must not let it slip off our hands.

We saw his approach to the games as the team played at the football summit in Australia.  We also noticed his closeness with the players who little wonder therefore were all at home with him. That spirit invokes tight team work and determination to play one’s heart out in any given match in the field of play. Waldrum’s commitment especially during the ongoing championship held me spell bond.  He meant to announce something different and never feared to take on head long against any opponent no matter how highly rated.

Topmost, he gave his girls hope and instruction that they can do it and nothing absolutely nothing would make them feel inferior against any side and such approach and talking point paid off even against England despite.  The Super Falcons players held their cool and head high at the end of the day. English team saw red and if later confessions by their players are anything to go by then the Nigerian girls truly proved nightmares for them and the story of that round of 16 would continue to be told by them for long time to come.

For All of us here in Daily Sports, the Super Falcons showed iconic displays, strong character,  attitude and capability that there are better days ahead if the foundation is absolutely, honestly and transparently sustained strong enough.  We salute the gallantry Super Falcons of immense hope on her exploits.  We also say cheer up girls for holding your own great, shunned intimidation, inferiority and fear against England.   Keep shooting hard till next week. Meanwhile we wait!!  

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted August 8, 2023

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