Super Falcons Coach Randy Waldrum seeks to continue despite Olympics setback

Randy Waldrum, coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, has expressed his desire to remain in his role despite the team’s disappointing performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Super Falcons, who secured their spot in Paris after a 16-year absence by defeating South Africa in the qualifiers, faced a tough Olympic campaign. They lost all three group-stage matches to Spain, Brazil, and Japan, scoring just one goal and conceding five.

Despite the setbacks, Waldrum remains optimistic about the future. He believes the team is on the right path with promising young players emerging and has expressed his commitment to continuing as coach.

“I would like to [stay on]. I love the team. I love the direction that we’re headed. After a rough start here, I think we’re headed in a good direction,” Waldrum shared on social media. He added, “There’s a lot of upcoming talent as we start to move some of the older players out after the Olympics and bring some young talent in. I think we can accomplish great things at the next level.”

Waldrum acknowledged that the final decision on his future will be made by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). He hopes the federation will consider the team’s strong performances at the 2023 FIFA World Cup and their successful Olympic qualification.

The NFF, led by President Ibrahim Gusau, has yet to comment on Waldrum’s future with the Super Falcons. As the team returns to Nigeria, fans and officials alike will be watching closely to see if Waldrum’s plea for continuity is heeded.