“We can’t look ahead of ourselves” – Coach Randy Waldrum plays down Olympic success with Super Falcons

Randy Waldrum was in charge of the Super Falcons at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament held in Australia and New Zealand, helping the team qualify for the knockout stages whilst remaining unbeaten.

Super Falcons coach, Randy Marlon Waldrum, has downplayed talks of Nigeria’s success at the Olympics after a brilliant World Cup outing, Soccernet.ng reports.

Waldrum, 67, is set to be on the touchline for the Nigerian female football team for the first time since their World Cup outing last year.

The Nigerian team will face the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in a two-legged tie as they look to take another step towards participating in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

In an interview released by the official Super Falcons’ social media page, the American manager played down dreams of Olympic glory in Paris, as the Nigerian female team haven’t played at the tournament in fifteen years.

“The goal is to qualify for the Olympics as we can’t look ahead of ourselves as to the Olympics until we get there, so qualification is going to be the primary goal. Everyone knows we’ve got a difficult set of matches coming up against Cameroon, so all the focus will be on those two matches,” the former Houston Dash manager said.

Quizzed about the amount of knowledge he has on Nigeria’s opponents and if the team is well-prepared, Waldrum commended the chemistry in the Super Falcons team.

“They will be seeking revenge. Both nations know each other very well, have a lot of talent, and are very dangerous, but I really like our squad and the team chemistry. We were able to get all of our players back in so if we can put in performances like the World Cup, then we have good chances,” the 67-year-old added.

Aside from Waldrum, fan favourite, Ashleigh Plumptre will also be making a return to the Nigerian team for the first time since the team’s World Cup outing last year.

This key two-legged tie, set for 23 and 26 February, stands as the penultimate hurdle to securing a coveted spot in Paris 2024.

 

 

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