Former Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum has offered fresh insight into his earliest experiences with Nigeria’s women’s national team, revealing that his first days on the job confirmed everything he had long believed about the country’s remarkable football potential.
Waldrum, who guided Nigeria through a turbulent yet ultimately impressive World Cup cycle, described his introduction to the role as energizing, eye-opening, and filled with immediate validation.
He explained that stepping into his first camp solidified years of admiration he had held from a distance.
“There were other players and young talent, like I said earlier, so it was a good first impression,” Waldrum noted, reflecting on his initial assessment of the squad.
“We Won All Three Games There in ”Turkey”—Waldrum
The American coach highlighted Nigeria’s performance at an invitational tournament in Turkey as a defining moment during his early tenure.
“My first impression was when I first got there we played an event in Turkey,” he said. “I met the team, Dr. Sanusi, and the administration there in Turkey.”
Waldrum admitted he was aware that the Super Falcons did not possess the same resources as the United States, but the performance on the pitch left him deeply encouraged.
“That first event went really well. We won all three games there in Turkey.”
He added that the warmth and professionalism of the staff made his transition smoother than anticipated.
“Working there, getting to know Dr. Sanusi and the staff, all of that went really well.”
“I Was Really Impressed With the Level of the Talent”
Despite the absence of several future World Cup players, Waldrum said he was struck immediately by the raw quality available in the squad.
“The thing that impressed me the most is that even though we didn’t have our full squad that we took to the World Cup, we had a handful of those players, and I was really impressed with the level of the talent. It was kind of what I had expected,” he said.
Waldrum revealed that his admiration for Nigeria was not new.
“I have followed Nigerian football for years before I took the job. When Samuel Okpodu had the team, he was stationed here in the USA. I followed them in 1999.”
Discovering New Super Falcons Stars
The former coach also spoke about the fresh faces he encountered during that first camp, many of whom would go on to become key contributors.
“When I got here and I saw the talent firsthand, I was happy,” Waldrum explained.
“There were some new talents that we brought in, like Tosin; that was her first call-up, and we saw her potential and ability. We also got to see Toni Payne for the first time.”
One of his standout memories was witnessing Asisat Oshoala in full flow.
“Seeing Asisat Oshoala’s talent in person… I had seen her in the Youth World Cup and followed her, but seeing firsthand the power and prowess she possesses was impressive.”
He also praised Halimatu Ayinde’s intelligence and tactical sharpness.
“Halimatu was also there, and seeing how tactically impressive she was as a player, not only gifted in talent but also just understanding the game.”
