TheNewsGuru

Tag: Randy Waldrum

  • BREAKING: NFF appoints interim coach for Super Falcons

    BREAKING: NFF appoints interim coach for Super Falcons

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has approved the appointment of Justin Madugu as the interim Head Coach of the Super Falcons, the Nigerian senior women national team.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the NFF gave the approval on Thursday, according to the recommendation made by the Technical and Development Sub-Committee of the NFF.

    The appointment of Madugu as the interim Head Coach of the Super Falcons, pending the appointment of a substantive Head Coach, follows the departure of Mr. Randy Waldrum.

    The Super Falcons’ next big engagement is the Women Africa Cup of Nations finals, taking place in Morocco in the summer of next year.

  • Olympics: Super Falcons coach submits important request to Sports Minister, NFF

    Olympics: Super Falcons coach submits important request to Sports Minister, NFF

    Following the qualification of the Super Falcons of Nigeria for the Paris 2024 Olympics, coach Randy Waldrum has made some important requests to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Waldrum to have requested the NFF and Senator Enoh to ensure early camping and early preparations for the Super Falcons ahead of the Olympic Games.

    Coach Waldrum made the request during the post-match press briefing shortly after the Super Falcons qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday.

    The Super Falcons booked their ticket to the Olympics after a tense goalless draw against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in Pretoria.

    The team had on Friday in the first leg pipped their South African counterparts 1-0, which ultimately secured their qualification for the Olympics in 16 years.

    Speaking thereafter, Waldrum said: “My plea is to the Minister of Sports and to the Federation to help us prepare properly.

    “We need to camp in Europe to prepare for the group we have. We need proper training. We need proper transportation.

    “We need to do things right because these women deserve this opportunity to represent our country in the best possible way as we know.

    “If you look at our group, it’s the group of death. I am already thinking about what we need to do to get ready”.

    TNG reports the Super Falcons will battle Brazil, Spain and Japan in Group C of the Paris 2024 Olympic games female football event.

    Having kept a number of clean sheets, Waldrum noted that the Super Falcons are good defensively but that the team needs to get better in the attack.

    “The team did everything we asked them to do to get the result. We knew South Africa would really come at us. We respect their strength. We respect their team very much.

    “We know what their qualities are but I think this is our 7th or 8th clean sheets in our last 8 or 9 games.

    “So, we did very good defensively and I felt strong about that and with some better work, we will get better on the offensive side.

    “But we need some time to prepare and get our players together

    “I know how much it means to the fans of Nigeria and to the NFF not to have qualified for 16 years. To them, I am very thankful and very happy,” Waldrum said.

    Earlier, the Minister of Sports had praised  the Super Falcons for qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games.

    Senator Enoh shortly after the match on Tuesday commended the team for their bold, energetic, and tireless performance over two legs against their arch rivals.

    Enoh expressed immense pride in the Super Falcons’ achievement, highlighting that their performance deserved nothing short of the ticket to Paris.

    “Today, we salute the Super Falcons for their extraordinary display of tenacity and doggedness, breaking barriers and reclaiming Nigeria’s spot on the Olympic stage.

    “Their victory is not just a triumph for Nigerian football, but a testament to the power of dedication and teamwork.

    “As we look forward to Paris 2024, let us rally behind our champions and support them as they strive for greatness,” he said.

    Enoh also thanked the coaching staff, players and all Nigerians, stating it is a win for the country.

    He said all hands must be on deck, as they prepare to represent Nigeria with pride and determination at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

    TNG reports the 2024 Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11 in Paris, France.

  • Paris 2024: Waldrum invites Ajibade, Oshoala, Nnadozie, 19 others for Banyana

    Paris 2024: Waldrum invites Ajibade, Oshoala, Nnadozie, 19 others for Banyana

    Coach Randy Waldrum has extended invitations to captain Rasheedat Ajibade, US-based Africa queen Asisat Oshoala and high-riding goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie among a group of 22 players for the two-legged Paris Olympics final qualifying fixture against South Africa next month.

    Saudi Arabia-based defender Ashley Plumptre and veteran rearguard Osinachi Ohale are also called, as well as youthful midfielder Deborah Abiodun, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo and Uchenna Kanu.

    There are recalls for 2019 World Cup star Chidinma Okeke and veteran forward Chiwendu Ihezuo, and a first invitation for U20 defender Shukurat Oladipo.

    The Super Falcons are at home for the first leg scheduled for Friday, 5th April at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja before flying to Pretoria for the return at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday, 9th April. The winner over two legs will earn one of Africa’s two tickets to this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, with Zambia and Morocco to clash for the other ticket on the same dates.

    Waldrum has also kept faith with regulars like wing-back Michelle Alozie, midfield lynchpins Christy Ucheibe and Halimatu Ayinde, and forward Gift Monday.

    ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

     

    Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens)

    Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA); Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan)

    Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)

    Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China); Ifeoma Onumonu (SLC Utah, USA); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)

  • Super Falcons’ Job: NFF mandates Technical Committee to discuss with Waldrum

    Super Falcons’ Job: NFF mandates Technical Committee to discuss with Waldrum

    The Nigeria Football Federation has mandated its Technical Committee to hold discussions with Super Falcons’ Head Coach, Randy Waldrum, with a view to extending the latter’s contract with the NFF.

     

    Waldrum steered the nine-time African champions to the Round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand, with the Super Falcons unbeaten in regulation time in any of their four matches, before a penalty shootout defeat by England.

     

    “We have given the Technical Committee the go-ahead to hold talks with Randy Waldrum as we consider an extension of his current contract with the NFF. They have to do this quickly as the team has a Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match next week.

     

    “The man has done well by leading the team to an impressive outing at the FIFA World Cup,” NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said on Tuesday.

     

    Waldrum signed a two-year contract with Africa’s darling women’s team in 2021, during which he led them to qualify for the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Down Under.

     

    Playing in Australia, the Super Falcons held Olympic champions Canada to a scoreless draw in Melbourne, defeated co-hosts Australia 3-2 in Brisbane and were again held scoreless by Republic of Ireland. In the Round of 16, they had the better of the game but it ended scoreless in regulation and extra time, forcing the encounter into a penalty shootout in which the Falcons were second best.    

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons Coach Waldrum reacts to draw against Ireland

    FIFA Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons Coach Waldrum reacts to draw against Ireland

    Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum on Monday said the team was disappointed not to have won against Ireland in their last group game of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

    Coach Waldrum, however, praised the Super Falcons for the doggedness to qualify for the Round of 16 of the tournament.

    “You know, I was actually disappointed in the second half because we could have won the match. So, it almost feels disappointing that we didn’t get the result, the three points.

    “But all of us would have taken this result before we started the match just to know we got through,” he said.

    The nine-time African champions will now face Group D winners, in either European champions England or Denmark in the Round of 16.

    “If it’s England, it’s the European champions. We’ve already played the Olympic gold medallists (Canada). We’ve already played the host nation (Australia).

    “So, it’s just going to be another one of those matches that we’ve already been playing in,” Waldrum said.

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons team list released for Ireland cracker

    FIFA Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons team list released for Ireland cracker

    Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum has released the team list to square up with the Republic of Ireland today in the last game of Group B in the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Falcons of Nigeria will take on the girls in green from Ireland, at 11 am (WAT), in a tricky final Group B match in Brisbane.

    The fearless Super Falcons produced the first major shock of the tournament after stunning co-hosts Australia 3-2, to shoot to the top of the group, level with Canada on four points.

    They had opened their campaign with a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Olympic champions Canada.

    The starting eleven sighted by TNG has Nnadozie, Alozie, Plumptre, Ohale, Demehin, Payne, Avinde, Ucheibe, Ajibade, Oshoala and Kanu.

    On the bench are Oluehi, Ogbonna, Ebi, Oparanozie, Monday, Ordega, Echegini, Imuran, OKoronkwo, Balogun and Onumonu.

    TNG reports the Nigerian girls will have to avoid complacency and what has been termed the Irish banana peel, if they are to seal passage to the round of 16.

    Already eliminated Ireland who narrowly lost their first two matches in the group will be seeking redemption against the Super Falcons in a bid to get their first World Cup win.

    Nigeria are ranked 40th while Ireland is 22nd in the latest FIFA world ranking, but the Super Falcons have re-emphasised the fact that rankings don’t count much when the chips are down.

    Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum on Sunday, ahead of the match said his team will continue to show that they are better than their current ranking.

    “We have shown we are a better team than number 40 (ranking) in the world. I would say that we were underestimated and underappreciated.

    “Hopefully we’ve proven that to the world right now that we belong in a higher place (than 40th).” he said.

    The coach said the team would approach the ‘very difficult’ Ireland match with all the seriousness it deserves, to avoid any slips

    “It is going to be a very difficult game. People may think I am crazy for saying this, but I think it could be our hardest match.

    “Ireland have been a bit unlucky in the first two matches and could have got a result.

    “We are not expecting them to lay down because they are going home already, I am expecting to get the best from them and have been very impressed with their team and their organisation.” he said.

    Analysts have stressed the need for the Super Falcons to go for an outright win, so as to top the group, regardless of the result from the dicey Australia vs Canada match.

    Nigeria should advance to the last-16 if they avoid a defeat against the hungry Irish, while a loss would leave them scrambling for a favourable result from the other group game between Canada and Australia.

    Only the top two teams from each group will qualify for the round of 16.

  • Our tactical approach helped us defeat Australia – Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum

    Our tactical approach helped us defeat Australia – Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum

    Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum has said that the tactical approach to the game by his girls worked for them in their win over co-host Australia.

    According to Waldrum, how the girls responded after conceding first and trying to be effective more in the Midfield helped the team regain confidence and made them push forward for goals.

    The coach also praised his team for exhibiting a lot of confidence in the game.

    He said “I think two things happened. One is, after giving up the first goal before halftime, we were able to respond and get it back. I think that was huge from a confidence standpoint. We tried sort out a little bit of a problem that Van Egmont was causing for us in midfield, finding a lot of pockets of space. And then it was just a matter of telling the players, you know, go for it. Don’t be afraid to go out. I think the changes that we made worked out, the subs that we put in changed the game as well.

    “I think they’re still singing and dancing right now, I can’t get into the change room and get a word in edgewise. Obviously an amazing feeling. And I’m so proud of these players, because so many people didn’t believe, so many didn’t believe in me, didn’t believe in the team. And the one thing that we’ve done is we’ve talked about believing in each other, and the strength of our success has got to be in the unity of the team. And to think that we’ve come in here and gotten two results against two top, top teams in the world says a lot, not only our ability but to just the heart and the competitive desire that the team has”

    ”I told them after the match, ‘keep believing, right? Keep believing in yourself. Because great things can happen for teams, when you really fightfor each other’. It’s not always the best talent that wins. You know, sometimes it’s the best team, the team that works best together and we’re enjoying the journey. We know there’s still work to do. So we’ll enjoy it tonight and get our recovery going tomorrow because it was a very, very taxing game on us physically. And then we’ll do our best to get ready for another very good opponent with Ireland.”

    “We’ve tried to, in the amount of time we’ve had the team, organise them collectively as a team in the way we want to defend. I know the Nigerian fans want to see flair and attacking football all the time. And we love that quality of our players. I think you saw that in some of the individual goals we scored tonight. But at this level, when you’re playing this kind of competition, you have to be collectively good defensively. We cleared a lot of balls out and that’s the key is trying to keep teams out of the most dangerous areas, and we dodged a couple of bullets as well, to be fair, but you know, I think that is part of the way we know we have to play to get results out of this group. So, I am again just amazed at how well they have taken to task, the way we tactically are wanting them to play right now, because we haven’t had the time that a lot of other teams have had together.”

    Asked why she used Asisat Oshoala as a substitute, Waldrum said she is only recovering from injury.

    “We’ve tried to be careful and manage her time. She’s come to the World Cup off of a long injury.

    And so when she got here, we knew we had to use her in a way that, you know, we keep her in, don’t get her out for the entire tournament. And we played her longer than we probably wanted to against Canada. So we had to manage her minutes today. But I thought she did a great job when she came on. She’s such a force physically, she’s a handful. You saw every long ball, even when she’s isolated by herself, she can create problems. And the third goal was massive. She’s like any other player, she wants to be on all the time and I know she was disappointed. But when we explained the reasoning behind it. Today, I told her before the match, ‘be ready for the last 30 minutes and come on and make a difference. I just have a good feeling’. And fortunately, that worked out.”

  • Australia & New Zealand 2023: Waldrum picks Ebi, Asisat, Ajibade, 20 others for World Cup

    Australia & New Zealand 2023: Waldrum picks Ebi, Asisat, Ajibade, 20 others for World Cup

    Head Coach Randy Waldrum has listed European Cup winner Asisat Oshoala, dainty attacking midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade and history-making captain Onome Ebi in his list of 23 Super Falcons for this year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.

    There is also first choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, as well as defenders Osinachi Ohale and Oluwatosin Demehin, midfielders Halimatu Ayinde and Christy Ucheibe, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo and Desire Oparanozie.

    Nigeria will play Canada, co-host nation Australia and the Republic of Ireland in that order at the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in history, with 32 teams set to debut at the championship – same number as for the men’s finals in Qatar last year.

    Nine-time African champions Nigeria, who were within whistling distance of the semi-finals before losing to Brazil in extra time in the United States of America in 1999, will arrive in Australia on Tuesday, 4th July for a 15-day final camping programme before the finals begin on 20th July.

    SUPER FALCONS FOR BIGGEST-EVER FIFA WORLD CUP FINALS:

    Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Hakkarigucu Spor FC, Turkey); Yewande Balogun (AS Saint-Etienne, France)

    Defenders: Onome Ebi (Abia Angels); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Glory Ogbonna (Besiktas JK, Turkey); Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City, England); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France)

    Midfielders: Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard FC, Sweden); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels); Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA)

    Forwards: Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, Kentucky, USA); Gift Monday (UDG Tenerife, Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona Femenine, Spain); Desire Oparanozie (Wuhan Chegu Jianghan, China); Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Esther Okoronkwo (AS Saint-Etienne, France)

  • Waldrum picks Ebi, Oshoala, 21 others for Revelation Cup in Mexico

    Waldrum picks Ebi, Oshoala, 21 others for Revelation Cup in Mexico

    Hosts Mexico, Nigeria, Costa Rica and Colombia are the participating teams at the tournament in the State of Guanajuato, with matches between 15th – 21st February, and with the objective of preparing the contestants for the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand this summer.

    Nine -time African champions Nigeria will play their first game of the tournament against hosts Mexico starting at 4pm Mexico time (10pm Nigeria time) on Wednesday, 15th February, three hours after the opening match between Costa Rica and Colombia.

    On Saturday, 18th February, the Falcons will be up against Colombia at 1pm Mexico time (7pm Nigeria time), before Costa Rica square up against the host nation.

    Costa Rica will be Nigeria’s last opponents, both teams locking horns as from 5pm Mexico time (11pm Nigeria time) on Tuesday 21st February, before hosts Mexico and Colombia draw the curtain on the four-nation tourney.

    Nigeria’s delegation to the tournament will depart the country’s shores on Saturday, 11th February.

    The Super Falcons will tackle co-hosts Australia, Olympic champions Canada and debutants Republic of Ireland at what will be the biggest FIFA Women’s World Cup finals ever, this summer in Australia and New Zealand.

    ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

    Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Yewande Balogun (AS Saint-Etienne, France)

    Defenders: Onome Ebi (Levante Las Planas (Spain); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City, England); Glory Ogbonna (ALG Spor, Turkey); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Akudo Ogbonna (Rivers Angels)

    Midfielders: Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Eskilstuna United, Sweden); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA); Regina Otu (AS Saint-Etienne, France)

    Forwards: Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona Femenin, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (AS Saint-Etienne, France); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Rayadas Monterrey, Mexico); Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Uchenna Kanu (Tigres Femenil, Mexico)

  • Int’l Friendly: Waldrum calls Ajibade, 21 others for clash with Japan

    Int’l Friendly: Waldrum calls Ajibade, 21 others for clash with Japan

    Head Coach Randy Waldrum has called up 22 players of the Super Falcons, among them Rasheedat Ajibade and Asisat Oshoala, for next month’s international friendly match against the Senior Women National Team of Japan, Nadeshiko, in Kobe.

    The team is dominated by the usual suspects but also welcomes four members of the U20 girls that reached the last eight at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica in August.

    There are first choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defenders Osinachi Ohale and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Regina Otu, Halimatu Ayinde and Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, and forwards Uchenna Kanu, Gift Monday, Vivian Ikechukwu and Toni Payne.

    The match serves as continuation of the Super Falcons’ preparations for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand, and comes just weeks after a two-match tour of the United States of America, in which they lost 0-4 and 1-2 to the USWNT.

    The match holds at the Noevir Stadium, Kobe on Thursday, 6th October.

    ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

     Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Nkiruka Obidinma, Yewande Balogun

    Defenders: Osinachi Ohale, Ashleigh Plumptre, Oluwatosin Demehin, Glory Ogbonna, Rofiat Imuran, Michelle Alozie

    Midfielders: Regina Otu, Christy Ucheibe, Halimatu Ayinde, Peace Efih, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, Deborah Abiodun

    Forwards: Asisat Oshoala, Uchenna Kanu, Ifeoma Onumonu, Gift Monday, Vivian Ikechukwu, Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne