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Desire Oparanozie's absence from the Super Falcons' matches at the World Cup so far have raised concerns, but coach Randy Waldrum has given a detailed explanation for why the star forward is yet to make an appearance
Super Falcons of Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum has explained why star forward Desire Oparanozie is yet to make an appearance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand despite being one of his self-proclaimed favourite players.
Oparanozie yet to play in 2023 Women's World Cup
The Wuhan Jianghan University forward has not featured for the Super Falcons in any of the three group-stage matches so far at the World Cup, with Asisat Oshoala and Ifeoma Onumonu taking turns to lead the line for Nigeria.
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Her absence has raised concerns despite Nigeria’s shock progression to the second round of the World Cup, and while speaking to journalists ahead of the Super Falcons’ crucial encounter against England, Waldrum was asked if the ex-team captain will feature at all in Australia and New Zealand, to which he replied, “Well, we hope so.”
He went on to explain the reason for Oparanozie’s absence so far, saying, “We didn’t have much in AFCON because she couldn’t get out of China, now that we’ve had her, she came into camp and she picked up an injury [on] I think the second, maybe the third, day of camp.
“That’s the reason we haven’t seen her. She’s been set back.
“She really only started training before the second match against Australia. I think she just trained a day before, so she really wasn’t ready to help us in Australia, and because of the quick turnaround between Australia and the Ireland match, we only had one really good day of training.”
Waldrum hopeful for Oparanozie's return
The American gaffer, however, provided some further insight into Operanozie’s fitness, giving encouraging signs that she could be fit in time for the Super Falcons’ Round of 16 tie against England.
He said, “I know she’s impatient; she wants to be in and she feels ready to be in but this [group stage break] will give us an opportunity to have three or four more days to get a chance to see her and make sure that she is fully ready and fit, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you see her in some shape in the match [against England].”
Nigeria will face England on Monday, August 7th, hoping to progress to the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time since the 1999 edition and the first time since the introduction of a Round of 16.
England also have injury doubts ahead of the match against Nigeria, with midfielder Keira Walsh still a doubt for the fixture.
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