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The Super Falcons of Nigeria have been drawn in group B of the FIFA Women’s World Cup that kicks off later this month.
Randy Waldrum’s team have been at every edition (nine) of the Women’s World Cup since 1991 and remain the only team from Africa to have achieved this feat.
Nigeria’s best outing at the Women’s World Cup came in 1999, when Ismaila Mabo-led team was drawn in the same group as North Korea, USA, and Denmark.
The star-studded Super Falcons side paraded the likes of Florence Omagbemi, Mercy Akide, Kikelomo Ajayi, Stella Mbachu, and in goal was Ann Chiejine.
After a 2-1 win over North Korea, disaster followed in Nigeria’s second game, where they were walloped 7-1 by the USA.
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15:09 - 08.07.2023
Super Falcons: 7 things to know about planned boycott of FIFA World Cup game
The Super Falcons of Nigeria are billed to kick off their FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign on July 21, but with less than two weeks to the D-day, controversies have failed to disappear.
However, the Super Falcons came back in style, pummeling Denmark 3-0 in the final group game to book a quarter-final spot. In Nigeria’s way was Brazil.
Brazil led 3-0 at some stage during the game, but the never-die attitude of the girls helped them to fight back to draw 3-3 in 90 minutes. Sadly, the performance wasn’t enough as Brazil scored a golden goal in extra time to knock out the Super Falcons.
Till date, that display remains Nigeria's best outing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and with the current level of preparation, it’s not likely that Randy Waldrum will inspire his team to surpass the record set in 1999.
Asukwo Oduo of Pulse Sports highlights three reasons why the Super Falcons are likely to return empty-handed from the showpiece in New Zealand and Australia.
1. Randy Waldrum and NFF saga
Nigeria’s national football teams, including the Super Eagles and Super Falcons, are not new to controversies, especially when it has to do with the coaching staff.
At the eve of major international tournaments, it is not strange to get reports of the coach embroiled in disagreements with the leadership of the Nigerian Football Association.
One common issue is always that of unpaid salaries. Going into the Women’s World Cup co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, reports have it that coach Randy Waldrum is being owed a whopping seven months' salary arrears.
The coach is not alone in this struggle, as some members of his team are allegedly being owed match bonuses and allowances that date as far back as two years ago.
The Mirror reported that the Super Falcons are likely to boycott the opening game of the World Cup against Canada on July 21 due to unpaid bonuses.
What magic should we expect from a man who has not been paid? It will take a miracle for this situation not to affect the Super Falcons going into this tournament.
2. Poor Preparations
Being Africa's most successful women’s national team, the Super Falcons can hold their own against any team in the world.
The Super Falcons have won the African Women’s Championship an unmatched eleven times, but still have a lot to do if they hope to advance to the knockout stages from a group that contains the likes of Australia led by Chelsea forward Sam Kerr, the Republic of Ireland, and Canada.
However, poor preparation can hamper the chances of even the best team in the world.
Pulse Sports reported that coach Randy Waldrum hit out on the NFF and gave details of several factors that has led to the poor World Cup preparation by his side.
He said he was promised three weeks of camping, with the first one and half week involving more of local players. After that, there was to be 10 more days where all the Super Falcons (those abroad and those selected the local camp would mix) before the final squad of 23 would fly to Australia.
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17:48 - 06.07.2023
Super Falcons: Randy Waldrum rubbishes World Cup preparation plans, asks 'where is the $960,000 from FIFA?'
Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum queries NFF over FIFA grant amidst poor World Cup preparations
However, camping was cancelled abruptly because of a lack of funds. With less than two weeks to the kickoff of the football fiesta in New Zealand and Australia, the Nigerian team have had very little time to gel.
3. Big egos within the team
The undoing of many African team has not been their abilities on the field of play but more about that cohesion as a unit.
While many European teams have mastered the act of playing for the team and putting the collective goal ahead of personal agenda, the same cannot be said of many African teams including the Super Falcons.
A side that contains the likes of Asisat Oshoala and Desire Oparanozie should put many side to the swords but when showboating and personal ambition trump collective goal, the end result is obvious - failure.
As a big fan of the Super Falcons, I will be more than excited to see the team do well, maybe equal or surpass the quarter-final record set in 1999, but this will take more than a miracle.
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