National Teams
Paris 2024: Waldrum in doubt for Ethiopia duel, Madugu set to lead Super Falcons
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Head coach of Nigeria women’s national team, Randy Waldrum will miss October roster of Nigeria’s clash with Ethiopia in the second round of the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifying tournament, NigeriaFootball can confirm.
Despite the arrival of players and officials just 24 hours to the first leg match of the second round doubleheader, the 66-year-old American is no where to be found in Addis Ababa, heighting rumours about his future with the team.
Sources close to the Nigeria Football Federation, however informed NigeriaFootball that Waldrum’s absence is owed to permission taken to attend personal matters, while discussion of his contract extension continues.
In his stead, Nigerian assistant coaches – Ann Agumanu-Chiejine, and Auwal Makwalla led by Justine Madugu to be on the sidelines as interim handler of the West African side against the East Africans, in Addis Ababa on Wednesday.
With the contract of Waldrum expected to expire at the end of October, it is unclear if his contract will be extended or a new coach appointed ahead of the Olympics and Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers.
In August, NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau has ordered the Federation’s Technical Department to commence talks with the American coach in a bid to extend his contract.
At the moment, 19 players, including Asisat Oshoala were part of the Super Falcons training at the Abebe Bikila Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
