By David Kabiyesi
Super Falcons gaffer, Randy Waldrum belief Nigeria can go all the way to kick England out of the World Cup when both team meet in the knockout stage of the competition.
Waldrum hinged his submission on the desire of the girls to do the country proud and make names for themselves, warning that England could be in for a massive shock when they face Falcons
The first thing is the chemistry and the bond we have. You heard Asisat (Oshoala) speak after the Australia game, she said it’s not about whether she plays for 90 minutes or not, she’s going to give her best no matter how long she has on the field. She also very quickly complimented her team-mates and the effort of the team.
She gave them the credit even though she scored such a big goal for us. That’s the attitude all of our players have. “The other thing that really impresses me is the fight this team has. It’s one thing to have talent and have a good team, but there’s something to be said about your heart and what’s inside you.
That’s innate and it’s part of their DNA. Against Australia, it would have been easy to have folded after going a goal down late in the first half, yet we came back and got the equaliser before the break. This team’s resolve, competitiveness and fight have been nothing short of amazing.”
Speaking on the game against Ireland, Waldrum said: “This game is a little bit different for us. Coming from the U.S., I knew Canada very well and have even coached quite a few of those players over the years. I knew how they were going to play and making the game plan was a little easier. We scouted Australia for a while and knew what their strengths were. “Ireland have done extremely well in this tournament. Even though they are eliminated, they played two very good matches and were probably a little bit unlucky not to get a result against Canada.,” he told FIFA.com
They are a top-20 team (in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking) and we’re 40th.” Waldrum said his target is to surpass the Falcons’ 1999 feat of reaching the quarterfinals, adding, however, that they are first concentrating on the game against England.
