In came Thomas Dennerby, and then Waldrum.īut the American did not get off to the most auspicious of starts, losing game after game to the point where he was derisively referred to as '007' after losing seven games on the bounce. When former NFF president Amaju Pinnick was looking for a new coach, his preference was for a foreign coach, the reason being he wanted someone who could get some discipline into the side that local coaches had failed to do. Nigeria has always played with attacking verve, sometimes in a madcap fashion which left exploitable holes in their rear large enough to ram a cruise ship through. From going on a seven game losing streak, friendly wins over Costa Rica, Haiti, New Zealand and the three World Cup games means the Super Falcons are now unbeaten in six, a first time for them outside of Africa. Waldrum has had to weather some serious headwinds to get here, some self-inflicted, but the results are doing the talking. Admittedly, it is for the third time in nine appearances, but Waldrum did what no other coach before him has managed before - avoid defeat in group play.Įven better, he did so by conceding only twice, the lowest goals allowed by the Super Falcons in all their previous World Cup appearances. Waldrum is now being celebrated by football fans across the country for leading Nigeria to the World Cup knockouts. To the point where his son, Ben Waldrum, was trolling the NFF with a post on Facebook saying, "Congratulations Mr Blabbermouth". Three games, one win, two draws against the Olympic champions and the hosts, a place in the World Cup round of 16, with a first ever unbeaten group stage performance in the World Cup, and things are certainly looking much better for Waldrum. What a difference a month, and great results make. Instead, he's led the team to the round of 16.Īfter an explosive interview with On the Whistle podcast in which he laid into his employers, the American coach endured a stinging rebuke from the federation, with its spokesman Ademola Olajire labeling him an "incompetent loudmouth". With just days to the start of the FIFA Women's World Cup, Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum was one board member away from being fired by Nigeria's football federation. Villain to hero inside two weeks - Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum's having the last laugh You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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