‘It’s a big accomplishment’ – Randy Waldrum reflects on breaking Nigeria Olympic jinx

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

After picking one of Africa’s two tickets for the women’s football event of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the head coach of Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, Randy Waldrum is on cloud nine.

The Super Falcons recorded a 0-0 draw with African champions, South Africa in the return leg of the fourth round of the Qualifiers at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria to qualify for the 2024 Olympics on Tuesday.

The nine-time African champions successfully activated their return to the Olympics after 16 years hiatus to the delight of the American coach.

“I’m extremely glad. I think it’s been 16 years since Nigeria has gone to the Olympics,” Waldrum told SABC Sports after the match.

“It is a big accomplishment for us to come in here on the road and do all we have to do to get the result.

“Well, I think every team plays a little differently at home in a way. I thought we were very good defensively tonight. I would have liked to play a little bit offensively. This now allows us some training time and an actual camp where we can train, prepare, and work on our game model.

“I am so proud of these players and what they have done for Nigeria and the Federation, the Ministry of Sports, and everybody back home in Nigeria I know have to be very very happy.”

The Super Falcons will face world powers in Spain, Japan, and Brazil on the group stage of the Olympics.

They will represent Africa alongside Zambia which secured a 3-2 win over Morocco on aggregate.

“I think we will continue to train and prepare the group,” he continued.

“We will always continue to look for players who would help us to the next level. I really like our team. We have been  very good. I think since the World Cup maybe the match before we only conceded two goals against Australia (2-3).

“We have been very good defensively. Now we just have to be a little bit more efficient around the ball. With some training opportunities, I think we will do more.”