Nigeria endured the disappointment of a penalty shootout defeat against England in their Women’s World Cup Round of 16 clash in Brisbane on Monday. However, there is ample evidence that this team is on an upward trajectory if they are permitted to continue their development.
The Super Falcons fashioned more than enough opportunities to overcome European champions England in the extended 120 minutes of play, reserving their finest performance of the tournament for the last game. Nonetheless, in the end, they were thwarted twice by the woodwork and their nerves during the shootout, following a goalless draw.
Throughout the competition, they thoroughly belied their world ranking of 40, showcasing a blend of speed, strength, and organisation.
“The team has been exceptional throughout the tournament,” remarked coach Randy Waldrum to the press after the loss to England. “I told them after the match that we haven’t genuinely lost a game.
“We’ve faced the Olympic gold medallists (Canada), the European champions, and we’ve kept a clean sheet in both of those matches.
“We played against the host nation (Australia) and Ireland, both of whom are in the top 20, and we didn’t lose.
“I hope people have observed the talent within the team and our capability. With a touch of structure, organisation, and the commitment to provide the necessary resources, I hope people recognise that we can be a significant contender on the global stage.”
Nonetheless, while the team excelled on the pitch, there has been off-field drama over wages, and Waldrum has been particularly forthright in his criticism of the Nigeria Football Federation, even staking his job on the line.
There will be those who will criticise him, and if he departs, the team could face an uncertain future, with many players likely to ponder their next moves.
“I’m proud of my team. I wish to remain with this team and continue working towards the Olympics next year. However, that isn’t a decision for me to make,” Waldrum conceded.
During a podcast that was broadcast last month ahead of the tournament, he revealed that he was owed seven months’ salary, and some of his players hadn’t received payment for two years.
“At some point, there needs to be an awareness about all the day-to-day aspects in terms of how the federation treats the players and provides resources for proper training, travel, and all those concerns,” he informed the reporters prior to the tournament.
But that is a concern for the future. For now, Nigeria ought to be praised for the calibre they demonstrated on the field and the potential they possess to advance further with this squad.
“We don’t want to grasp success at this moment and then fail to progress when we return to Nigeria,” Waldrum remarked.
