BEVERLY HILLS, April 20, (THEWILL) – After naming the American football manager, Randy Waldrum, the coach of Nigeria’s senior women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, in October of last year, and having him sign the agreement in February 2021 just before the Falcons went to a historic win in Turkey, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) considered it worthwhile to reiterate its promise to help him succeed.
The NFF’s resolve and determination to provide the head coach all the support he would require in building a squad that will challenge for global honours and ink Nigeria’s name on the map of women’s international football, is hinged on the very terms of his contract with the football federation.
This was again highlighted at a brief Monday meeting between the management of the NFF and the American at the Sunday Dankaro House headquarters of the Federation.
There, Mohammed Sanusi, the NFF General Secretary, said the Amaju Pinnick–led administration is determined in their drive to harness every available human, material, non-physical resources and assets to uplift the nine-time African champions to the level rivalling the best in the world.
The success of the Super Falcons at the four-nation invitational tournament in Turkey in February was the first in history for Nigeria in Europe and the first crown under Waldrum. It was pointed to as an indicator of the new stage of success that is expected of the team under Waldrum’s tactical direction.
The 64-year-old American, who previously played as a midfielder and has worked largely within the American women’s football circle, was head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago national team between 2014 and 2016. In his previous role, he was head coach of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers women’s football team before he accepted the Super Falcons’ job.
The faith and confidence reposed in Waldrum’s ability to upgrade the overall performance levels of the women’s team to give them an edge globally as they have proven to possess on the continent, was shared by Yusuf Ahmed, who is Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, and he said that much during the meeting on Monday.
The meeting was attended by other staff members of the management of the NFF, such as Emmanuel Ikpeme (Deputy General Secretary), Augustine Eguavoen (Technical Director), Charity Kadiri (Director of Finance & Admin), Ademola Olajire (Director of Communications), Ruth David (Ag. Director, Competitions) and Abdulrafiu Yusuf (Assistant Director, Coaching and Development).
The Assistant Director, Training and Development, Siji Lagunju and Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, in charge of Protocol, were also present.
The presence of Waldrum was at the commencement of the Super 6 Tournament of the Nigeria Women Football League, which began competitively in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on Monday.
The NFF appreciated the American’s concern for the domestic game, which his presence gave credence to.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
