How Aisha Falode saved Randy Waldrum from sack few days to Women’s World Cup

Beautiful ending to a chaotic start is the story of the Nigeria women’s national head coach, Randy Waldrum and his employers – the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

After sorting to war of words following an explosive interview with ‘On the Whistle Podcast’, Waldrum endured a stinging rebuke from the federation, with its spokesman Ademola Olajire labeling him an “incompetent loudmouth”.

Fast forward to a month, Waldrum has turned things around, recording one win, two draws against the Olympic champions and the hosts Australia to seal a place in the Women’s World Cup Round of 16, becoming the first coach in history to lead the West African country out of the group stage without defeat.

An impressive run that saw his son, Ben Waldrum, aimed dig at the NFF with a post on Facebook saying,: “Congratulations Mr Blabbermouth, Randy Waldrum, for defying the odds and making the Round of 16 in the World Cup!”

From going on a seven game losing streak to friendly wins over Costa Rica, Haiti, New Zealand and now the three World Cup games unbeaten, Waldrum is now being celebrated by football fans across the country.

Although Nigeria has crossed the group stage twice before, in 1999 and 2019, Waldrum did what no other coach before him has managed – go unbeaten and concede only twice – the lowest goals allowed by the Super Falcons in all their previous eight World Cup appearances.

Meanwhile, the NFF had held meeting to discuss his dismissal from the role following the media attack from the American manager but the broke NFF were not ready to pay him any severance fee plus high-powered intervention.

However, an NFF official made the difference while the drafted sack letter awaited the president’s approval.

The former chairperson of the Nigeria Women’s Football League, and a member of the NFF board, utilized her political will and capital to pull strings within the government to save Waldrum’s job.

“She (Aisha Falode) worked really hard,” an NFF official told media.

“She called people in government, and convinced them that Randy should be given another chance. She also spoke to other board members and the NFF president and persuaded them to let him stay.”