Former Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum has opened up about his earliest impressions after taking charge of Nigeria’s women’s national team, painting a vivid picture of excitement, discovery, and the immediate confirmation that the country possessed world-class talent waiting to be harnessed.
Waldrum, who led Nigeria through a turbulent yet ultimately impressive World Cup cycle, described his introduction to the job as both encouraging and eye-opening.
He shared that his first encounter with the players reaffirmed years of admiration he had held from afar.
Waldrum began stating that his early days confirmed Nigeria’s enormous potential and justified his long-held admiration.
He summed up his experience by saying:
“There were other players and young talent like I said earlier so it was a good first impression.”
“We won all three games there in Turkey” – Waldrum
Recalling his very first camp with the Super Falcons, Waldrum highlighted the team’s performance at an invitational tournament in Turkey as a defining early moment.
He said:
“My first impression was when I first got there we played an event in Turkey, I met the team, Dr Sanusi and the administration there in Turkey.”
“I knew we weren’t going to have all the resources that the USA has but that first event went really well we won all three games there in Turkey.”
Waldrum added that the warmth of the staff and administrators in that camp made his transition smoother than expected.
“Working there getting to know Doctor Sanusi and the staffs, all of that went really well.”
“I was really impressed with the level of the talent”
Despite missing several star players who would later feature at the World Cup, the American coach said he was immediately struck by the quality within the squad.
According to him:
“The thing that impressed me the most is that even tho we didn’t have our full squad that we took to the World Cup we had a handful of those players and I was really impressed with the level of the talent and it was kinda what I had expected.”
Waldrum revealed that his admiration for Nigerian football predated his appointment.
“I have followed Nigerian football for years before I took the job, when Samuel Okpodu had the team he is stationed here in the USA, I followed them in 1999.”
Discovering New Super Falcons Stars
Waldrum also spoke glowingly of the emerging players he encountered during that first camp.
He explained:
“So when I got here and I saw the talent first hand I was happy.”
“They were some new talents that we brought in like Tosin that was her first call up and seeing her potential and the ability, we also got to see Tonye Payne for the first time.”
One of his most memorable moments was watching Asisat Oshoala up close.
“Also to witness Asisat Oshoala talent in person, I have seen her in the youth World Cup, followed her but seeing it first hand, the power and prowess she possess was impressive.”
He also praised midfielder Halimatu Ayinde:
“Halimatu was also there seeing how tactical impressive she was as a player, not only given in talent but just understanding the game.”
