To emulate the Class of ’99 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Randy Waldrum: looking forward to a Super Falcons’ success at the Women’s World Cup
By Rasheed Adewuyi
Super Falcons Head Coach Randy Waldrum has reiterated his confidence in the Super Falcons as they gear up for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The Super Falcons won their spot in the Mundial after defeating Cameroon’s Lionesses in the quarter-finals of the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco last summer, with Rasheedat Ajibade scoring the crucial goal to earn a semi-final spot and the ticket to Australia/New Zealand.
It meant the Falcons had made it to all FIFA Women’s World Cup editions – a record shared with only six other teams globally.
In a chat with thenff.com, Waldrum expressed his belief that the Super Falcons are capable of emulating the set of 1999 and matching their predecessors’ feat of a quarter-final berth at the global finals in the U.S.A.
The Class of 1999, led by Florence Omagbemi, defeated North Korea 2-1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena with goals from Mercy Akide and Rita Nwadike before losing 1-7 to the U.S.A. despite taking a second-minute lead through Nkiru Okosieme.
Defeat to the Americans in Chicago stirred something in Africa’s lone flag-bearer at the first FIFA Women’s World Cup to feature 16 teams.
In their next match, the Super Falcons flew past Denmark 2-0 at the Jack Kent Cooke Stadium near Washington DC, the goals coming from Mercy Akide and Nkiru Okosieme.
In the quarter-finals, at the same venue, the Nigerian girls stormed back from three goals down to Brazil in the first half to tie the game 3-3, with Prisca Emeafu, Nkiru Okosieme, and Nkechi Egbe the scorers, before Brazil won in extra-time, in what was the very first time the golden goal decided a women’s competitive game. This was after 104 minutes.
Waldrum added: “I am confident and realistic about this. We have abundant talents in the squad, and I am convinced they can go that far. This particular team is very talented and has the same ability to go far in the tournament, just like the Class of 1999.
“To achieve this and even more, we need to have all players in fit condition, healthy, and most importantly, have enough time together. If we have enough time together, we can be successful at the World Cup.”
The Super Falcons have been drawn alongside Olympic champions Canada and co-hosts Australia and the Republic of Ireland in Group B of the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals. The Nigerians will play all their group phase matches in Australia – one game in Melbourne and two matches in Brisbane.
