Despite the Super Falcons’ exit from the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, coach Randy Waldrum remains optimistic about the team’s future, News About Nigeria reports.
The Nigerian team put up a valiant effort but sadly lost in a penalty shootout against the Three Lionesses of England in a Round of 16 fixture at the Brisbane Stadium.
Both teams played out a goalless draw during regulation time, leading the game into extra time, during which Chelsea player Lauren James received a red card for a needless stamp on Michelle Alozie.
Despite being one player down, England managed to hold on for the entire duration of extra time and secured a 4-2 victory in the penalty shootout.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Coach Waldrum commended the Super Falcons’ impressive performance throughout the Women’s World Cup, stating that they have caught the attention of the football world.
He praised the team for making their country and the African continent proud, especially considering Nigeria’s ranking as the 40th team in the world before the tournament.
Waldrum expressed his pride in the team’s accomplishments, emphasizing that realistically, they did not lose a single game during the regular play, excluding the penalty shootout.
He believes that Nigeria has a bright future in women’s football and has the potential to be one of the top teams in the world.
The coach also highlighted the team’s notable performances against strong opponents, including the Olympic gold medallists, Canada and the European champions, England, where they managed to keep clean sheets in both matches.
He further mentioned their matches against the host nation, Australia, and Ireland, both top 20 teams, which ended without a loss.
Coach Waldrum hopes that their performances in the tournament have showcased the relevance of African football on the global stage and highlighted the talent within the continent.
He stressed the importance of providing resources and organization to support women’s football in Nigeria to continue their progress and become a major team on the world stage.
