Super Falcons Coach Hails Asisat And Ajibade Ahead Of World Cup Opener

The head coach of the Super Falcons of Nigeria, Randy Waldrum, has hailed the football abilities of Barcelona Feminine and Atletico Madrid Feminine forwards Asisat Oshoala and Rahseedat Ajibade ahead of their opening match at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The Super Falcons hope to make a statement with a stronger showing in the 2023 Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand after failing to make any reasonable impact in their previous campaigns. Their best performance in the tournament was a quarter-final finish in 1999.

Nigeria who has featured at the tournament seven times is in a group that includes co-hosts Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland.

The Super Falcons will commence their World Cup campaign against reigning Olympics champions Canada at 03:30 AM on July 21.

Ahead of the game, coach Waldrum stressed the importance of Oshoala and Asisat, who would likely make up the Falcon’s attack alongside returnee Desire Oparanozie.

Following her success with FC Barcelona Feminine in Spain, Oshoala, 28, is one of the players to watch in Australia and New Zealand as she competes in her third World Cup. With her 25 goals in the previous season, she helped Barca win the league and the Women’s Champions League.

The Super Falcons coach said, “Everyone knows Asisiat is so important to this team, we always expect her to score goals every time she steps on the pitch. The nation expects perfection from her in every performance.”

As for Ajibade, she scored 10 goals for her Spanish Women’s club, Atletico Madrid Feminine and she is expected to continue with her goalscoring form in the colours of Nigeria from July 21.

Coach Waldrum said, “I think she is one of the bright young players in the world. She is very talented, extremely gifted athletically, and has all the qualities needed to become a world-class player and I think before her career is over, a lot of people are going to know her name.”