NFF president Ibrahim Gusau gives updates on Waldrum’s contract extension talks

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Ibrahim Gusau has confirmed that the country’s football governing body is still in talks with erstwhile substantive coach Randy Waldrum in a bid to extend his contract as the Super Falcons manager.

Waldrum’s initial two-year contract extension with Nigeria’s senior women’s national team as head coach expired on October 31, with assistant coach Justin Madugu taking over in interim capacity.

His outstanding permanent, include guiding the nine-time African champions to the Round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which had put him in good stead to remain in charge.

With the protracted talks of contract extension, acting head coach Madugu made a strong start as he saw off a 5-1 aggregate win over Ethiopia in Paris 2024 Olympics Qualifiers.

Reacting to the matter, Gusau gave an update on the issue of Waldrum with the Super Falcons.

“The issue of winning at all cost with the Super Falcons. The last match we played, coach Waldrum wasn’t available because of personal reasons and his contract expired on 31st of October,” Gusau told NigeriaFootball.ng.

“We tried to play those two matches against Ethiopia. He [Waldrum] complained that he had some personal issues and challenges with his family and at that time we gave him permission.”

Gusau, however assured that a decision will be reach if Waldrum agrees to the contract extension or the country moves on, depending on his decision.

“After that, we have been talking with some in some areas of contract extension,” he continued. “If we are able to reach an agreement with him, he will come back.

“We have started a conversation with him about renewal and will conclude the process. We are in talks with him and his lawyers to see how we can move on.

“If that virtually did not happen, then we are going to decide where we are going.”

The University of Pittsburgh coach led the Super Falcons to a fourth-place finish at the 2022 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) which qualified the team for the global showpiece.

At the Women’s World Cup, the American kept three clean sheets against Canada, Republic of Ireland, and England before losing the Round of 16 game on penalties to the European champions.