2023 FIFA WWC: Super Falcons coach sends message to Priestman’s troops ahead of Canada clash

Nigeria and Canada will renew their hostility in the Women’s World Cup when the two Footballing Nations face off against each other at the Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne

Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum says his team is aware of the strength of  Canada in their first game in the World Cup, but believes that the Olympics champions are beatable if the Falcons stick with the plans, Soccernet.ng reports

The 66-year-old will be guiding the nine times African Champions in their ninth campaign at this year’s edition of the tournament.

The showpiece will start between New Zealand and Norway in two days, with the Super Falcons in action against Canada on Friday.

Waldrum’s side recently thrashed Australian side Queensland Lions FC 8-1 in their last preparation match in Gold Coast on Saturday morning.

Speaking at the team’s training session in their base camp in Brisbane, shared on the Super Falcons Twitter page, Waldrum spoke on his team’s chances going into their game against Beverly Priestman’s girls on Friday,

The Olympics Gold medalist, we know they are going to be very good, we played them twice the last year and have a lot of respect for them. They are a very good side, very well coached, but I think we can have the ability to be successful if we perform and stick to our game plans.

The American gaffer also stated that the team is under pressure from the expectations back home in Nigeria, but believes he has enough experience among his players and staff to cope with the situations in Australia and New Zealand

I have said it every time we have done an interview, pressure is always there as a manager of a team, there’s pressure from the players, and they feel the pressure too. And we have to learn to cope with that and manage that so that we can go into the match clear of head and not have things the way they stand. So we can play freely and the way want the team to play, we don’t want them to be uptied because of the pressure, and as a manager is my job not to display too much pressure in front of the team so that we can have them do what they need to do. Waldrum said

Their match against Canada is on Friday 21st of July, 2023 at 3:30 am in Nigerian time.