NFF Reiterates Support For Super Falcons Coach Waldrum
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reiterated its resolve and determination to provide new head coach of the Super Falcons, Randy Waldrum, all the support he needs to build a squad that will challenge for global honours and ink Nigeria’s name on the map of women’s international football.
At a brief meeting of the NFF Management with Waldrum at the Sunday Dankaro House headquarters of the Federation on Monday, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said the Amaju Pinnick–led administration is resolute in harnessing available human, material, non-physical resources and assets to uplift the 9–time African champions to eventual world beaters.
“I welcome you to the NFF headquarters for the very first time,” Sanusi said. “Let me start by saying that I was actually impressed with your professionalism and competence shown in handling of the squad at the Turkish Women’s Tournament.”
“That played a great role in the Super Falcons winning all their matches at the tournament. Permit me to also say the NFF is enamoured by your request, without any prompting, to come and watch the NWFL Super 6 taking place in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.”
“This shows clearly that you are interested in the development ansd sustenance of the Nigeria women’s game and discovering players for the National Team,” Sanusi added.
“We will continue to give you all the support to build a formidable team that the world will reckon with by its performance at major tournaments outside the African continent.”
The four-nation invitational tournament success was the first in history for Nigeria in Europe and the first crown under Waldrum.
Waldrum, an American who played as a midfielder and has worked largely within the American women’s football circle, was Head Coach of the Trinidad and Tobago national team between 2014 and 2016.
“The predominance of the Super Falcons on the African continent has never been in doubt, with nine titles out of 11 editions of the Women AFCON competitions held so far,” President of the NFF, Amaju Pinnick said about Waldrum’s appointment in October last year.
“We envision a new Super Falcons squad competing favourably for laurels at the global level, and I believe the new technical crew led by Mr. Waldrum can take us to that level.”
Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Yusuf Ahmed made a similar statement on Monday, saying the Federation has implicit confidence in Waldrum to upgrade the technical hue of the Super Falcons and mould them into one of the world’s best.
Also present at the meeting were Emmanuel Ikpeme (Deputy General Secretary), Augustine Eguavoen (Technical Director), Charity Kadiri (Director of Finance & Admin), Ademola Olajire (Director of Communications), Ruth David (Ag. Director, Competitions) and Abdulrafiu Yusuf (Assistant Director, Coaching and Development).
Siji Lagunju (Assistant Director, Training and Development) and Emmanuel Ayanbunmi (Protocol) were also in attendance.
The Super 6 Tournament of the Nigeria Women Football League commenced in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on Monday.
Chidi Nwoke/Businessday.
