NFF reinstates fitness coach Per Karlsson to bolster Super Falcons ahead of WAFCON 2024

By Samuel Ahmadu

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has strengthened the technical team of the Super Falcons with the return of experienced fitness coach Per Karlsson ahead of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Karlsson, who previously worked with the national women’s team and recently with the India women’s national team, brings with him a wealth of cross-disciplinary expertise in elite athlete conditioning.

A former hammer throw athlete with a personal best of over 75 metres, Karlsson has transitioned into a respected strength and conditioning coach across various sports, including athletics, football, and ice hockey.

Karlsson assisted then manager Thomas Dennerby’s led technical crew which included current interim coach Justin Madugu to win the Ghana 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and reach the knockout stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France a year later.

Confirming his reappointment, team insiders highlighted his broad athletic background and previous success with the Falcons.

“Per was also with the Nigerian team. He was a hammer throw athlete, who could throw over 75 metres. He is very strong and has been working with endurance training for track and field athletes, football, hockey, and so on,” a source close to the technical staff revealed.

One of Karlsson’s key strengths lies in his experience developing young athletes.

“He has worked a lot with players between 15 and 17 years of age, and that is very important because if you have worked only with seniors, your expectations can be too high,” the source added.

Karlsson joins a technical crew led by Head Coach Madugu, alongside former Super Falcons goalkeeper and captain Ann Chiejine, and goalkeeper trainer Auwar Bashir Makwalla.

His return is part of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau’s commitment to seeing the Super Falcons reclaim the WAFCON title and restore Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football.

Karlsson’s appointment is expected to enhance the team’s physical readiness and recovery protocols, especially with a compact tournament schedule looming.

The Super Falcons will begin their WAFCON 2024 campaign in Group B, where they face Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana.