Why Randy Waldrum Won’t Lead Super Falcons To Face Ethiopia

Super Falcons of Nigeria coach, Randy Waldrum, won’t lead the team against Ethiopia in the first leg of the second round of the 2024 Women’s Olympic qualifier.

Randy Waldrum is not presently in Addis Ababa, where the Super Falcons are expected to take on the Ethiopia women’s team this evening, October 25.

Waldrum’s current contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is expected to expire on October 31. He is currently negotiating an extension with the NFF, according to reports. Owing to personal commitments, Waldrum might be available for the return leg in Nigeria.

In his absence for today’s game in Ethiopia, Auwal Makwalla, Ann Agumanu-Chiejine, and Justin Madugu will serve as the team’s assistant coaches.

The first leg of the doubleheader match will take place at Addis Ababa’s Abebe Bekila Stadium today, while the second leg will take place on Tuesday, October 31, at Abuja’s Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The Falcons, who failed to qualify for the last two editions of the Olympics are expected to return to the tournament by knocking out Ethiopia who qualified for this round by defeating Chad 10-0 on aggregate in the first round in July.

After winning the first leg 6-0 in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopians thrashed their hosts 4-0 in N’Djamena five days later.

The winners of the two-legged affairs between the Super Falcons and Ethiopia will face the winners of the clash between Uganda and Cameroon.

Meanwhile, the NFF has confirmed that all of the invited players have arrived and taken part in a training session on Tuesday, except forward Ifeoma Onumonu, who is based in the United States, who arrived at camp on Tuesday night.