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"An extremely talented player, a great person, a true pro."

Super Falcons coach Randy Wuldrum heaped praise on Asisat Oshoala 💚🤍💚


Waldrum: Oshoala is an extremely talented player and a true pro

••• Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum speaks to FIFA+
••• He discusses their “brutal” opening to Australia & New Zealand 2023
••• Waldrum hails Sam Kerr, Asisat Oshoala, Alexia Putellas and Sophia Smith

Randy Waldrum heard his phone pinging perpetually. “That’s weird,” he thought, having celebrated his 62nd birthday a couple of weeks earlier. He went to investigate and saw innumerable texts, WhatsApps, tweets and Facebook posts.

All were congratulating him on becoming the new Super Falcons coach. That, to the Texan, was even weirder. Waldrum hadn’t applied for the job. The Nigeria Football Federation hadn’t even been in touch.

Still, the opportunity to coach at France 2019 was one he was never going to turn down. Supposed employee immediately began trying to contact supposed employers.

A week passed. Then a month. Then three months. Having heard nothing, the former New York Cosmos midfielder reluctantly assumed another coaching post and grudgingly accepted that the opportunity of a lifetime had passed him by.

It had not – despite a helping of déjà vu. “The same thing happened in 2020 – they kind of announced I had taken the job before the details were worked out,” he explained.

Waldrum therefore accepted a post with the Pittsburgh Panthers. When Nigeria finally slammed a concrete offer on his table, he turned them down. “I’d given the university my word,” Waldrum said.

By now, however, the Super Falcons’ shot-callers really wanted their man. They therefore made an uncharacteristic concession: Waldrum could combine both roles.

So, at 66 – an age at which Waldrum envisioned himself chilling on a beach in retirement – he’s living a frenzied, continent-hopping life guiding Panthers and Falcons. FIFA+ caught up with the former Houston Dash coach to discuss the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™.


FIFA+: Randy, you started your coaching career 45 years ago. How does it feel to be on the verge of finally coaching at a World Cup?
When I started this journey, I had dreams and ambitions of someday coaching at the highest level. Obviously when we beat Cameroon to qualify, it was a very exciting night and a big moment for me. Not many people get to put on their résumé that they're coached in a World Cup. I feel very blessed to have this opportunity and I’m very thankful to all the people who helped me along the way.

First up for Nigeria at the World Cup is the Olympic champions. What do you think of this Canada team?
Clearly it’s the best Canadian team they’ve ever had. It was no surprise to me that they were Olympic gold medallists. We went up to Canada a few months back and played two matches against them and they’re extremely talented. The team is loaded with talented players. It has a great mixture of experience – [Christine] Sinclair and others – up-and-coming young players like Fleming and steady ones like Janine Beckie who can play anywhere and will always do their job. They’re good in every position. They don’t really have any weaknesses. Different players get goals. You can clearly tell they have a game model of how they want to play and that the players execute it perfectly. That’s vitally important at this level. I think they’re one of the most complete and best teams in the world right now. No question about it.

You mentioned Sinclair. Forty-year-old Christine Sinclair up against 40-year-old Onome Ebi would be some story…
(laughs) Yeah, it would be very exciting for both players and fans. They’ve both played in so many World Cups and have been such a big piece of their respective teams’ histories. These athletes nowadays – you see it in the men’s game with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo – they know so much more about sports science and how to take care of their bodies. Christine and Onome have certainly done that. You see them still playing at a high level. It would be deserved for them to get to compete against each other on the biggest stage one more time.


How excited are you to play Australia in Brisbane in your second game?
It’s scary, to be honest. Our first two games are brutal. Many people have our group ranked as the hardest in the World Cup. The other three teams are all ranked in the top 25 in the world. They all pose different kinds of problems. Just like Canada, Australia has so, so many stars. They have Sam Kerr leading the line and a host of really, really talented players behind her. And if that’s not going to be hard enough, they’re the host nation, so we’ve got a lot to overcome. It’s going to be a very, very big challenge for us. Obviously, as a coach, I look forward to these challenges and I think our players also will, but clearly it will be very difficult for us. Look at Australia’s recent performances. They’re handling strong opposition pretty easily. Australia are flying right now and, in a World Cup at home, they’re sure to be flying.

What do you think of Sam Kerr?
Fantastic. I've always liked her from her time in the league here. Following her career, I think she's just got better and better. In her younger days, a lot of her success came from her strength, speed and athleticism. I think as she's grown as a player, she's become very, very clinical around the goal. She's become a very, very complete player, one of the best in the world. I think she’s clearly in the conversation for the very best in the world. She scores great goals, she scores those [scrappy] goals. She has that something special that very few players have. Her game is at an extremely high level.

Who do you think wins that debate over who is the best player on the planet?
I'm a big fan of [Alexia] Putellas. I think she’s just a complete player and she plays the way I like players to play. She has all the intangibles that, as a coach, I would look for. I think you could easily make an argument for Sam and a handful of other top players. I love Mapi Leon. She’s not going to get the goals and the stats because she doesn’t play in the position to, but in terms of what she brings to the team, you can easily make an argument for her. But I think Putellas is the most complete.


Denise O'Sullivan, who you coached at Houston Dash, is still a key player for Ireland. Have you spoken to her since the draw?
I haven't. Over the last few years, I’d send her a message on her birthday or check in occasionally to see how things are going, and she’s always good at responding, but I haven’t spoken to her since the draw. I'm looking forward to seeing her again. She’s a really talented and different kind of player. Technically, she can control the midfield. If you give her time and space she can do real damage. I love the amount of ground she covers as a midfield player. She's all over the pitch and she'll be key for them, for sure. I'm looking forward to getting a chance to see her again. We certainly want to get the result against them, but other than that I wish her well because she’s a great, great kid. I think the world of her.


How confident are you that Nigeria can get out of the group?
Obviously the Nigerians have that expectation of advancing. I’m smart enough and have been doing this long enough to know it’s a very difficult group to get out of, but we’re certainly capable of doing it. We have the talent. Last year we had two games against Canada in Canada and two games against the US in the US. The big difference is that their federations can call players together for camps at any time. Our players are scattered about all over the world and we can’t get them together. It our first game against Canada, we lost. In our second we drew 2-2 and played really well. In our first game against the US, we lost 4-0. In our second game, we scored an own-goal, played much better and only lost 2-1. So we have shown we improve when the players spend time together. We will have a month or so in camp before the World Cup. That’s going to be vital for us. If we can get a quality camp in, I think we can pull off some upsets and get out of the group.

Does Morocco’s success at Qatar 2022 raise your hope that Nigeria can win a knockout game at the World Cup for the first time?
It shows it can be done. Morocco had a game plan and the players stuck to it. The were great in their defensive block. They played as a team. I’d say that Morocco’s success has to give you confidence.


Key to the Super Falcons’ hopes will be Asisat Oshoala. What do you think of her?
An extremely talented player, a great person, a true pro. She carries a big burden. She plays for arguably the best club in the world and has done really well for them. So she’s the big star of our national team, people expect a lot from her and she puts a lot of pressure on herself, because she loves Nigeria and she wants Nigeria to be successful on the world stage. I think people on the outside have difficulty understanding that it’s easier to play for Barcelona than it is your national team. She’s with her Barcelona team-mates every day, they understand each other’s movements. The national team doesn’t get together very often and you have different players from camp to camp. But despite the difficulty and the pressure she’s under, she always shows her talent and professionalism with the national team, has a very positive influence on her team-mates, and delivers on the field.


Uchenna Kanu has also come on leaps and bounds…
She’s a really good player and she scored some really big goals for us throughout the qualification process. She did very well in Sweden, very well in Mexico, and now she’s making a move to the US to play the NWSL. Quite honestly, she’s been more effective for us when she’s come off the bench. That’s not to say she won’t start at the World Cup – obviously she has the talent for that. But she’s had a big impact on games when she steps in off the bench. We’ve got a decision to make.


As an American, what do you think of this new US side?
I like what Vlatko has been doing, bringing in new, young faces. It was time for Carli Lloyd to step down and, for me, even though she’s still involved, Megan Rapinoe. I think the US has a great core of young players that can keep them at the top for a long time. I like [Sophia] Smith a lot. I think she's got a complete game. I think she’s one of the best players in the game today. Rodman gives you that breakaway speed that's always going to be dangerous, and Swanson's back playing well again and looks really clinical. Obviously we’ll have to see how these young players respond on that stage. What we've seen with them in their response so far has been positive, but the World Cup is a completely different stage. But they play for top clubs and the mentality of US players has always been above anything else I’ve ever seen. They're just so locked in on pushing and grinding out results. It’s in their DNA. I don’t think they’ll be overwhelmed. I think that mindset can overcome tactical deficiencies or playing against teams who are better than you on the day.


Who’s your tip to win the World Cup?
A few World Cups ago there was probably only two or three teams who had a chance of winning it. Now I think you have a handful of teams. I think Australia at home is going to have to be a favourite. I think the US always is going to be in that mix. What Spain is doing is obviously puts them in the conversation. England, you saw how well they did in the EUROs. Canada are the Olympic champions, Sweden looked really good in that tournament. Then there’s the French and the Dutch, who are fully capable of going on a run and winning it. The growth of the women’s game over the last 10 years has been incredible.

Deltamani:
The idiot sabi Start Onyi Echegini but nor gree call her up at first… Na God go save us from Randy

You think there was nothing behind the initial omission beyond his control? Wasn't it Randy that invited her when we knew nothing about her?

You don't know everything.

I was not only shocked at his post but lost for words.
Very disappointed.

JohnBullMySon:
You think there was nothing behind the initial omission beyond his control? Wasn't it Randy that invited her when we knew nothing about her?

You don't know everything.

JohnBullMySon:
You think there was nothing behind the initial omission beyond his control? Wasn't it Randy that invited her when we knew nothing about her?

You don't know everything.

Nice observation bro...
Randy is clueless which means some stupid decisions he made sometimes may be deliberate. It is difficult to give such coach a benefit of doubt.

Can't find Africa Sport now on fb. Where is the game?

Better on Facebook live https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=3547195808898128

ekehopp2:
Game likely to be shown live here on the below YouTube Channels:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NkImtOgh84


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g6n1BMWyF0

https://fb.watch/jLSUeuAXh4/?mibextid=DcJ9fc


Watch through this Haiti Football Federation Page

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g6n1BMWyF0

Beautiful pitch

See that box 18 chance. Just one r2 and you decided to showboat. Smh

We've not played this well in a while.

daveP:
See that box 18 chance. Just one r2 and you decided to showboat. Smh

Master Dave please keep updating us.

Ajibade annoys me sometimes I won't lie

The passing accuracy is much improved, although it’s only Haiti

The match is very boring
I nor watch again

Can Demehin pls stop with the aimless and lifeless long balls pls?🥴🥴

This Okoronkwo is another Vivian Ikechukwu abeg... If Oshoala doesn't wanna play, she should talk

The game is easy for us,but we aren't making it look so... The usual unnecessary holding of the ball is still an issue...

PDPGuy:
The passing accuracy is much improved, although it’s only Haiti

These defenders need to be told how to flow with the middle. These long balls will not work at the WWC. They can't work. We aren't even aerially gifted to be trusting such process that it's the habit of all our matches in the last 3years.

Ebi should retire please

mostob:
This Okoronkwo is another Vivian Ikechukwu abeg...
If Oshoala doesn't wanna play, she should talk

Asin ehn

I always limit my commentary on Esther because I had hitherto not seen her play. Now that I have I can say she's been unimpressive and underwhelming. As for Assist, she's playing not to get injured. Very funny stuff.

daveP:
These defenders need to be told how to flow with the middle. These long balls will not work at the WWC. They can't work. We aren't even aerially gifted to be trusting such process that it's the habit of all our matches in the last 3years.

It's why Randy should have played Ashleigh and Demehin instead. Except he plans to start Onome at the World Cup, playing Ebi and Demehin doesn't make sense. See how they bodied mama and collected the ball from her. The synergy also isn't there.

Gooallll

lovewins:
Asin ehn

I always limit my commentary on Esther because I had hitherto not seen her play. Now that I have I can say she's been unimpressive and underwhelming. As for Assist, she's playing not to get injured. Very funny stuff.

And Esther scores.

Still very unimpressive sha

Goal! Esther from a free kick

Esther Okoronkwo's left foot needs to be protected. What a strike!!! And from a madly tight FK angle.

Reminds me of Nigeria's U17's LB, Emmanuel Michael's first strike vs CIV in the Wafu B Semis.

daveP:
Can Demehin pls stop with the aimless and lifeless long balls pls?🥴🥴

She's been only able to complete 1 pass the whole game, and that was a 5cm pass to Alozie at the 33 minute mark. The first simple 5cm pass she attempted to her she misplaced it, the rest of the match she's been hoofing it up field like she's attempting an NFL Field goal or something.

Worst is Randy is just a few meters away from her keeping mum and can't shout orders to her to make adjustments. Smh. 🤦‍♂️

Setpiece goal dey sweet my belle. Weldone Esther. She needs to be better in play anyways. Now that's a strength we can exploit going forward. Hope Sam Axe is watching

Okoronkwo looking like Emmanuel Michael with that strike

lovewins:
It's why Randy should have played Ashleigh and Demehin instead. Except he plans to start Onome at the World Cup, playing Ebi and Demehin doesn't make sense. See how they bodied mama and collected the ball from her. The synergy also isn't there.

i know we have things really bad, but Ebi starting at WWC is like Thanos with the 6 rings. Annihilation. She lives to leave her position to body player, leaving that space all open for exploitation. One-two will get her useless and minus 2(she's already minus 1 currently)

The guy handling the video production is high on cheap weed

Honestly i wanted to say this before the game, Esther is hands down our best finisher.