Exclusive: ‘ Randy Waldrum denied saying I was forced on him’ – Francisca Ordega

By Samuel Ahmadu

Nigeria women’s coach Randy Waldrum has denied reports that he was pressured to include her in the nation’s squad for the Paris 2024 Olympics, forward Francisca Ordega exclusively told NigeriaFootball.ng on Monday.

The 12-nation women’s football event in Paris kicks off on July 25, with several teams already announcing their final 18-player squads along with their alternates.

On June 30, an online report claimed that: “a potential cold war was brewing in the Super Falcons camp. The report alleged that two top officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) were attempting to impose veteran forward Francisca Ordega on coach Waldrum for the Olympics.

“They’ve been breathing down Waldrum’s neck, trying to force him to include Ordega. Two officials, a male and a female, are insisting that she be named in the squad for Paris,” report stated.

Ordega, who is the second top scorer in the Russian topflight with six goals from 12 games for leaders CSKA Moscow, admitted she was deeply embarrassed by the report and called Waldrum for clarification.

“I was surprised by the news and had to call the coach on Sunday to verify the report,” Ordega told NigeriaFootball.ng.

“I respect him a lot and felt slighted by such allegations in the media. He said he was not aware of that and never had such talks with anyone. He also said the media were just trying to be mischievous as he never spoke to anyone about it.

“I even asked if he really did not want me on his team, he should just say it, so I can focus on my club career. It is very embarrassing to hear I am being imposed on a coach after all the sacrifices and hard work to make the country proud.”

While harboring dreams of featuring at the Olympics for the first time in her career, the four-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winner insists she is not desperate about it.

“It is always a huge privilege to represent my country and also a great honor to have a first-time experience of the Olympics, but I am not desperate to be on his team if he doesn’t want me,” she continued.

“Despite not being part of the team since the World Cup, I’ve focused on giving my best at the club level and am very happy with my form and progress so far this season. I have my colleagues like Desire Oparanozie, who didn’t have the opportunity and didn’t die. So, why should I be forced on him?”

The Super Falcons are drawn in a tough Group C that includes world champions Spain, former world champions Japan, and South American champions Brazil at the Paris Games. The nine-time African champions will open their campaign on July 25 against Brazil in Bordeaux, marking their return to the Olympics after a 16-year hiatus.

This is not the first time Waldrum has launch a scatting attack on the NFF and individuals publicly before, and during major matches or tournaments. In 2023, he openly criticized the NFF through two viral podcasts for refusing to include his ailing assistant in the delegation and for objecting to his favourite players.

In 2022, he accused the media of being ‘hateful’ during a post-match press conference after a group stage opening loss to South Africa at the WAFCON in Morocco. In 2024, he also attacked a journalist in South Africa during another post-match press conference following his team’s qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics.