Randy Waldrum explains Desire Oparanozie’s Women’s World Cup appearance delay

Desire Oparanozie’s absence from the group stage games at the World Cup so far have raised concerns, but coach Randy Waldrum has given a detailed explanation on why the star forward is yet to make an appearance.

The Wuhan Jianghan University forward is one of the high-profile players in the Nigerian squad that is yet to taste action, with Asisat Oshoala and Ifeoma Onumonu taking turns to lead the line of action.

The Super Falcons have however qualified to face England in the round of 16 after finishing second in the group stage behind the host Australia.

The team will now face England on Monday, August 7th, hoping to progress to the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time since the 1999 edition and the first time since the introduction of a Round of 16.

When asked about her avaliablity for the Lionesses showdown, the American tactician confirmed that Oparanozie is now fit enough to play against the European champions.

“We didn’t have much in AFCON because she couldn’t get out of China, now that we’ve had her, she came into camp and she picked up an injury [on] I think the second, maybe the third, day of camp,” Waldrum told media.

“That’s the reason we haven’t seen her. She’s been set back. She really only started training before the second match against Australia. I think she just trained a day before, so she really wasn’t ready to help us in Australia, and because of the quick turnaround between Australia and the Ireland match, we only had one really good day of training.

“I know she’s impatient. She wants to be in and she feels ready to be in but this [group stage break] will give us an opportunity to have three or four more days to get a chance to see her and make sure that she is fully ready and fit, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you see her in some shape in the match [against England].”