Super Falcons star Francesca Ordega has denied rumours that coach Randy Waldrum is being forced to add her to Nigeria’s squad for the 2024 Olympic games, Soccernet.ng reports.
Ordega has been a regular for the Super Falcons since she made her debut in 2010. The Nigeria international has played at the World Cup four times- at the 2011, 2015, and 2019, and the 2023 editions.
On the continent also, she has been quite successful, helping the Super Falcons to three Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles.
However, the CSKA Moscow star is nearing the twilight of her career. And many Nigerian fans believes she should leave the scene for younger players like Uchenna Kanu, Rasheedat Aj8bade, Esther Monday. Moreover, she has also not been in flying form at her club.
With the Olympics closing, there have been talks that the Nigeria Football Federation want to force coach Waldrum to add her to her to take the team.
However, the 30-year-old forward debunked those claims on Monday, stating that caoch Waldrum also refuted the news.
“I was surprised by the news and had to call the coach on Sunday to verify the report,” Ordega told NigeriaFootball.ng.
“I respect him a lot and felt slighted by such allegations in the media. He said he was not aware of that and never had such talks with anyone. He also said the media were just trying to be mischievous as he never spoke to anyone about it.
“I even asked if he really did not want me on his team, he should just say it, so I can focus on my club career. It is very embarrassing to hear I am being imposed on a coach after all the sacrifices and hard work to make the country proud.”
Coach Waldrum is yet to release his final list for the Olympics, but Ordega has a good shot at making the squad because of her experience.
The Olympics begin later this month, and the Super Falcons have a difficult group, with Japan, Spain, and Brazil.
