Falcons to face Ethiopia without coach Waldrum
The Super Falcons will confront Ethiopia on Wednesday in an Olympic qualifier without coach Randy Waldrum.
The University of Pittsburgh Panthers women’s head coach had already told the NFF that he will only be available for the second leg fixture scheduled to be held in Nigeria due to personal commitments in the United States.
His Nigerian assistants: Justin Madugu, Ann Chiejine and Auwal Makwalla who have worked closely with Waldrum in the last two years will manage the team in his absence.
Nineteen Super Falcons players, led by African Footballer of the Year and Barcelona superstar Asisat Oshoala, are set for Tuesday afternoon’s official training session ahead of their 2024 Women Olympic Football Tournament second round, first leg clash with Ethiopia’s ‘Lucy’ in Addis Ababa.
Other notable players in the camp include France-based goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Oluwatosin Demehin, and midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade of Atletico Madrid.
Also set for the session at the Abebe Bekila Stadium in the heart of Ethiopia’s capital are goalkeepers Tochukwu Oluehi and Monle Oyono, defenders Rofiat Imuran, Michelle Alozie, Nicole Payne, Akudo Ogbonna, Jumoke Alani, and Comfort Folorunsho, as well as midfielders Esther Onyenezide, Toni Payne, and Peace Efih, and forwards Uchenna Kanu, Gift Monday, Omorinsola Babajide, and Opeyemi Ajakaye.
🚨Heading out for training 😀💪 🇳🇬 vs Ethiopia in Addis Ababa #SoarSuperFalcons| #OlympicsQualifiers pic.twitter.com/ErhyAueGf1
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) October 24, 2023
Only US-based forward Ifeoma Onumonu is expected to arrive in Addis Ababa on Tuesday night.
Wednesday’s encounter at the Abebe Bekila Stadium will kick off at 3.30 pm Ethiopian time.
The return leg has been scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, 31st October 2023, with the winner on aggregate to square up to the winner of the Cameroon/Uganda fixture for a place in the final round of the qualification series.
The Super Falcons are the nine-time African champions and are hoping to make a return to the women’s football event at the Olympics after missing the last three editions.
