Nigerian football fans and sports writers, infuriated by the Super Falcons’ disastrous showing at the Morocco 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, have called for the sacking of Randy Waldrum.
The American coach was in charge of Nigeria’s worst-ever outing at the tournament, as they finished fourth after losing the third-place match 1-0 to Zambia in last night.
Under Waldrum’s watch, the nine-time champions lost three matches at one WAFCON for the first time since the tournament started in 1998, falling to South Africa, Morocco and Zambia.
Apart from results, Waldrum’s tactics, team selection, and substitutions have often been questioned as is his reliance on the older players like Onome Ebi and Rita Chikwelu.
Below are some of the reactions on Twitter after last night’s defeat…
Babatunde Koiki, a sports writer and broadcaster, wrote: “Expect the NFF to fire Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum with a cannon. If it doesn’t happen soon, it’s because they don’t have the money to pay him off. Not because they don’t want to.”
Adepoju Tobi Samuel, who is in Morocco to cover the tournament, wrote: “Super Falcons finish fourth with NUGA (Nigeria University Games) coach, Randy Waldrum. Thank you Randy. The man took us from top to bottom.
Colin Udoh, sports journalist and former media officer of the Super Eagles, wrote: “Waldrum’s tenure has been the WORST of any Super Falcons coach EVER!
No other coach has lost more games. And we haven’t even gone to the World Cup yet. #SackWaldrum NOW.
Fred Okoligwe, sports broadcaster, wrote: “Whoever recommended this Randy Waldrum to Nigeria should be made to face a disciplinary panel. This guy na scam!”
Yinka Tinuade wrote: “So with all the restricted access to the team this is what Waldrum still produced? Fourth position??? Naaaa, not good enough.”
Bassey Ibiatisuho wrote: “The Super Falcons team is bigger than Randy Waldrum. NFF should apologize to the indigenous coaches who built a good and strong reputation with the team only to have it crumbled by a coach whose career record can’t stand the achievement of the Super Falcons in world football.”
Emmanuel Chinedu wrote: “I told y’all… This super Falcons team is not good enough. We need to rebuild the squad ahead of the world cup next year. You can’t be losing to teams like Zambia and Morocco.
Randy Waldrum is just a common College Coach.. And not a coach that’s good enough to coach Nigeria.”
Abdulrahman Momoh wrote: “The NFF should look at themselves in shame because none of our indigenous coaches of the super Falcons has performed this poorly in an African Cup of Nations. Waldrum should be sacked as soon as possible.”
Aypmikun Elemikan wrote: “A very disappointing outing for our darling Super Falcons. I don’t know about you but Randy Waldrum Out. This is the best female national team in Africa. We need a better coach with world class pedigree.
Lummy Dee wrote: “Three losses. Worst finish. Bonus Palava. Fighting spirit.
NUGA coach with virtually no game reading prowess and then the deficiency peeping once again. The team needs its own slack, but Randy Waldrum is not the manager for a serious and bigger stage at the World Cup.”
