It is a cold war going on between Super Falcon’s manager and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), less than 24 hours before the team’s departure to Australia for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, News About Nigeria understands.
The country’s women first team boss Randy Waldrum slammed the NFF for lack of adequate preparation ahead of the world’s most exciting tournament jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August 2023
The American former footballer accused the NFF of frustrating his efforts while giving him little or no support to get his girls ready for the competition.
Waldrum is furious following the Federation’s cancellation of an earlier planned camping in the country, with his team.
“I know we are not prepared the way we need to be, and I have been very frustrated with the NFF and the lack of support,”
“We were supposed to have a camp for 10-12 days in Nigeria before going to Australia for another 10-15 days, but the federation canceled the camp in Nigeria.”
In response to the outburst, NFF Communications Director, Ademola Olajire, lambasted Waldrum for exposing the internal affairs of the Federation to the public, while claiming his arguments are “afterthought” and “clueless”.
“We have first to ask when the European season ended. The man wanted a two-week camp for only home-based professionals. Two weeks ago, he released his final list of 23. There was absolutely no need for any camping for home-based players again, except to waste resources.”
“Instead of admitting his glaring deficiencies, he is there shooting his mouth off. He knows he will not have Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimatu Ayinde for the opening match against Canada, yet he left out Ngozi Okobi and Regina Otu from the squad. His outbursts are nothing but an afterthought. He is only talking three days before the team’s departure to the World Cup,” Olaijire added.
Rasheedat Ajibade will miss the opening two games at the World Cup due to a previously upheld suspension.
The Super Falcons are expected to depart Abuja tomorrow for a 15-day training camp at Brisbane in Australia, before their opening game with Olympic champions, Canada, at Melbourne on July 21.
Their remaining group game matches will be against co-hosts Australia and the Republic of Ireland on July 27 and July 31 respectively at Lang Park in Brisbane
The Nigerian girls will reportedly, have a send forth dinner today (Saturday) with the country’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, before traveling tomorrow.
