Super Falcons coach hoping to give Nigerians special victory over England

Super Falcons boss Randy Waldrum says his team were not prepared for Paris 2024 Olympics. | Imago

Super Falcons coach hoping to give Nigerians special victory over England

Ayoola Kelechi 23:59 - 06.08.2023

Head coach Randy Waldrum wants to give Nigerians something special with victory over England in the Round of 16

Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum believes that his team can give Nigerians back home a special World Cup moment with victory over England in their round of 16 clash.

Super Falcons set to battle England

The American coach has led the Super Falcons to the second round of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia after an impressive group stage run that saw Nigeria unbeaten despite being classed in the same group as Olympic champions Canada and hosts Australia. 

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Waldrum’s next target will be to shock the leading favourites for the title, England, who are also reigning European champions.

The Lionesses are also undefeated at the Women’s World Cup after claiming a maximum nine points from their three group games, but Waldrum wants to see his side overcome great odds yet again to delight fans back home. 

Waldrum hoping for 'huge' England win

Speaking ahead of the Round of 16 match against England, Waldrum told journalists, "It would be a huge win. "Obviously, with what we've accomplished, Nigeria is buzzing again from what I understand, and I don't think people expected us to get out of the group and to get the results that we've gotten. So, I think it's already been a big success."

Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum has led the team to the R16 against the odds | Imago
Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum has led the team to the R16 against the odds | Imago

Waldrum went on to highlight the successes of the current World Cup campaign and explain how important a win over England would be, saying, "Obviously, if you can not only, now, have [knocked out] the Olympic gold medalist, but if you can turn around and beat the European champions, then it'd be something extremely special back home for all the people in Nigeria and more importantly, too, for the squad.

"It certainly could be transformational in a lot of different ways."

The Super Falcons could be the first African team to reach the quarterfinals in this World Cup campaign, having been the first and currently only African team to ever reach that stage of the tournament. 

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