Waldrum assures Nigerian fans that Super Falcons will get the business done in Douala

SUPER Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum has assured Nigerian football fans that his team will emerge victorious from their Olympic qualifier against Cameroon's Indomitable Lionesses tomorrow in Douala.

Nigeria and Cameroon are among the eight remaining teams seeking to clinch the two African slots at the Paris 2024 female Olympic tournament. They will lock horns in a two-legged tie over the next week, starting with the away leg tomorrow, with the winner facing the victor of the South Africa vs Tanzania clash to determine who goes to Paris in the summer.

Ghana, Zambia, Morocco and Tunisia are battling it out for the other slot, with all first legs taking place this weekend. Mr Waldrum, 67, has been in charge of the Super Falcons since 2020 and has grown a great relationship with the team, resulting in the Falcons having a wonderful World Cup despite being put in the group of death alongside Australia, Canada and Ireland.

Mr Waldrum said: “I think we have the players. You can take any manager but they can’t do much if they don’t have the players. So I think we have the players. It’s just a matter of getting these results in such a short time. I am confident in our coaching staff and confident in the players.”

He also hinted that the team’s performance at the World Cup has played a huge part in their great form and he wants that to continue. Quizzed about his longevity with the Super Falcons, the coach mentions he now feels at home with the team and is grateful for the chance to lead the team in the right direction.

“Coming off the World Cup, I think the players are in great spirits and we respect Cameroon. We know it’ll be a great match, both legs but I think we’ll be ready.

“I feel at home with the Super Falcons, it’s been a long journey, with a lot of ups and downs. Any coach will tell you that you need time with the team and as we saw with the men’s team, they made us proud and congratulations to them. So we can see that it takes time to get things going in the right direction. I think we’re headed there and I’m happy with where we are.”

Cameroon will visit Nigeria for the second leg of the qualifier on February Monday 26. Nigeria eased past Ethiopia  in the previous round en route to this fixture and will hope to translate that momentum against a Cameroon side who will be without their star player Nchout Ajara Njoya, who pulled out of the squad due to injury.