Former Super Falcons coach advises Waldrum to introduce new players

Super Falcons have a difficult group at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA WWC Former Super Falcons coach advises Waldrum to introduce new players

Hassan Abdulsalam 08:41 - 11.01.2023

Nigeria is in Group B alongside Olympic champions Canada, co-hosts Australia and the Republic of Ireland.

Former Super Falcons coach, Godwin Izilien, has advised coach Randy Waldrum to introduce fresh players into the squad ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20.

Don't invite bench warmers - Izilien

Izilien advised Waldrum to not invite players that are bench warmers in their respective clubs to the team.

Former Super Falcons coach, Godwin Izilien

He said further that the coach should build the team around young players.

Former Super Falcons coach Izilien also advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to organise high-quality friendlies for the team to prepare for the World Cup.

“For the Super Falcons to excel at the 2023 Women's World Cup, I believe the old players in the squad should be sidelined to pave way for the younger ones.

“Playing politics in team selection will not augur well for the Super Falcons at the world stage. Other teams in the world are building their teams around young players, because they understand that the lifespan of a female footballer is short.

"The NFF, at this point, should have started setting out guidelines and programmes to get the girls ready for the World Cup. Quality friendlies and good training programmes should be put in place for them.

Super Falcon star, Rasheedat Ajibade in action

“This year’s World Cup will be tough as 32 teams will be competing and the coach should brace up for the task ahead by picking the best players for the tournament,“ he said.

Super Falcons to tackle Olympic champions in the group stage

Nigeria is drawn in Group B alongside Olympic champions Canada, co-hosts Australia and Republic of Ireland.

Despite finishing fourth at the WAFCON in Morocco, the Super Falcons will participate at their 9th consecutive Women's World Cup

Super Falcons is in an elite group of only seven countries that have never failed to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup since the competition was launched in China 32 years ago.

The Falcons will be domiciled in Brisbane where they will play two of their three matches, with the other game to be played in Melbourne.

Waldrum targets the knock-out stage

On his part, the Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum has said that his target at the World Cup is knock-out stage.

Super Falcons Head Coach, Randy Waldrum

"The first target for us at the World Cup is to advance out of the group stage. Everyone wants to get to the knockout stage but obviously in order to achieve that, you have to advance out of the group, and now, our focus is principally on doing that," Waldrum told the NFF.

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