Panic for Nigeria and Waldrum with four regulars in doubt for Ethiopia trip

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, Randy Waldrum might be without at least four of his regular players for the Paris 2024 African Olympics qualifiers against Ethiopia, Nigeriafootball can exclusively report.

With three days before the first leg in Addis Ababa, the Super Falcons risk missing at least four of the team’s potential starters against the East Africans.

The affected players on the 22-woman roster, who are rumoured to likely miss the first leg include Gift Monday, Halimatu Ayinde, Regina Otu and Christy Uchiebe.

Sources informed Nigeriafootball.ng that the unexpected withdrawals were due to varying reasons, including visa hitches and health-related matters.

The three players were part of the squad for the summer Women’s World Cup in Australia, with Ayinde and Ucheibe notably playing pivotal roles in the middle of the pack.

There is no confirmation on possible late replacements as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Waldrum are racing against time to sort the foreign professionals’ direct arrival in Addis Ababa for the first-leg match on October 25.

The quadrennial recurring development cast a shadow on Nigeria’s qualification chances, having failed to qualify for the Olympics in previous three successive attempts, largely due to absence of key regulars.

The home-based players and officials are expected to depart Nigeria later today (Sunday) for Addis Ababa and will be joined by the foreign-based players to begin buildups for the doubleheader.

On the other hand, Ethiopia had already opened camp last week ahead of the encounter taking place on Wednesday.

Nigeria’s East African opponents eliminated Chad in the first round of the series while the nine-time African champions drew a bye.

The game will be Super Falcons’ first since their Round of 16 feat at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and big test for Waldrum as he eyes a contract extension.