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The Nigeria women's national team Super Falcons may have been knock out at the Round of 16 but to the average Nigerian, it feels like their team just won 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. For the first time the Falcons finished the round of 16 games without loosing a game at regular time. They drew with the Olympic champions Canada, they defeated the host Australia 3 - 2 and finished second in Group B. The Falcons totally outplayed Lionesses of England by all stats in round of 16 game, but were only unlucky to have lost out through penalty shootout 4 - 2.
Nigerians were satisfied with their team performances. The Falcons played like a real world class team. So how did the coaching crew achieve such transformation within a short time and what more needed to be done to sustain the trajectory for the next four years or so.
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What Happened?
Randy Waldrum's appointment as the head coach of the Super Falcons of Nigeria in 2021 came at a time when the team was struggling to maintain its position as the best in Africa and in the world rankings.
Teams like Bayana Bayana of South Africa have began to challenge the position with their transformation agenda championed by Desiree Ellis. It was to be a matter of time, Super Falcons only managed to beat Bayana Bayana 1 - 0 in the 2018 Women's African cup of nations (WAFCON) final and by July 2022 South Africa women's national team has become the reigning African champions. So there is an urgent need for the Super Falcons to rejuvenate themselves.
Despite Super Falcons dominance in Africa, winning WAFCON 11 times and qualified for every world Cup 9 times since 1991, their abysmal performance at the world stage were something of a concern both to NFF and Nigerian fans in general.
The team have fallen short when it comes to competing among top teams of the world. Though, Falcons reached the world cup quarter finals in 1999 and the Round of 16 for the first time in 2019, Nigeria also have such scandalous record as the team that conceded the most goals, 58 in all. Lost 8 -0 against Norway 1995, 8 - 0 against Germany in 2010 and 8 - 0 against France in 2018.
With 19 losses to date at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Nigeria stands alone as the country with the most defeats in the competition’s history. The Super Falcons have recorded only 5 wins from 30 matches at the World Cup since 1991 - 2023.
The Challenges
Some of the challenges of Super Falcons were coaches and players who do not possess technical competence and could not favourably compete at that high level of the game. Moreover, some of the players were already aging having been too long in the national team without replacement.
Waldrum finally transformed the Super Falcons into a world-class team through various measures he took in rebuilding the team.
Scouting for Technical Sound Players
Waldrum has been proactive in scouting and recruiting talented Nigerian players from around the world. He has absorbed some players of Nigerian descend Toni Payne and Nicole Payne, Michelle Anozie, Ifeoma Onumonu, Ashleigh Plumptre, He has also shown a willingness to give young, talented players a chance to prove themselves, players like Gift Monday, Oluwatosin Demehin, Deborah Abiodun..., a move that paid off immensely.
Discovered How to Manage the Team's Real Strength and Weaknesses
One of the key changes Waldrum implemented was to introduce a fresh and dynamic playing style that is well-suited to the strengths of the Nigerian team. He also ensured that the team members were in good physical and mental condition by instituting regular fitness and psychological training programs.
Super Falcons were often seen as team with strong attacking prowess, most coaches handled the team usually adopt attacking formations that cut short the midfield and greatly exposed the defenders.
Until their AWCON Semi final game against Morocco, where the Super Falcons showed a great defensive strength as unit, after two key players Hallimatu Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade were red carded. Waldrum had to change the team playing style.
Waldrum also paid attention to the technical aspects of the game by identifying and addressing the weaknesses of individual players and the team as a whole. He also emphasized the importance of teamwork and instilled a winning mentality in the players.
All these factors, coupled with Waldrum's vast experience and knowledge of football, have contributed to the Super Falcons' recent successes, including an impressive 9-0 win against Equatorial Guinea in the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers.
What Should Be Done Going Forward
1. Retain the Coaching Crew
Randy Waldrum's transformation of the Super Falcons of Nigeria into a world-class team has been nothing short of remarkable, and it is a testament to his leadership qualities, technical expertise, and dedication to the team's success. These are some of the reasons I think NFF should retain him.
2. Perfecting Some of the Team's Dynamics
The team has show organisation and resilience in defending as a unit, but their transition to attack their opponent have been some worth sluggish and not clinical in their finishing. The team must learn how to high-press their opponent, especially when they are at advantage. Then, how to change the cause of the game from the bench. These are some of the things the coaching crew should look at as they go into the Olympics qualifiers in October.
3. NFF Full Support
This is the big issue, the loggerhead between the team and their governing body, Nigeria Football Federation. For the team to move forward or not, it will be the decision or indecision of NFF to give the team the full support.
