Former Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum, believes Nigeria’s women’s national team has what it takes to win the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) set to take place in Morocco from July 5 to 26, 2025.
The Super Falcons, aiming to secure their 10th continental crown and their first since 2018, finished fourth under Waldrum’s leadership at the 2022 edition of the tournament, also hosted in Morocco.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with EaglesTracker, Waldrum expressed strong confidence in the current Super Falcons squad, highlighting their hunger to reclaim their position at the top of African women’s football.
“I think the players are good enough on their own that they can win it. I think there’s enough talent there based off what was built from the World Cup and the Olympics. Those players will find a way to get the result because they’re hungry to go regain the title,” Waldrum said.
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“I think they can do that in spite of the coaching because I don’t think that’s there and I don’t think it’s at the level it needs to be to help you win on the World stage but I think the player’s talent is enough,” he added.
Waldrum warned that team selection could prove decisive. He pointed out that poor squad choices could open the door for well-prepared rivals such as Morocco and Ivory Coast to capitalise, while traditional powerhouses like Zambia, Cameroon, and Ghana remain consistently difficult opponents.
“If the wrong mixture of players are called in then I think it could be a struggle because I think Morocco are going to be well organised. Ivory Coast with their coach will be very organised as well and the other teams are always difficult anyway no matter how good the coaching is or not. Zambia, Cameroon, Ghana, those teams are always tough because of the competitiveness between the countries,” he said.
Waldrum stepped down from his role as Super Falcons head coach in September 2024, after leading Nigeria to the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and securing the team’s return to the Olympic Games for the first time since 2008.
The 68-year-old, however, revealed that he would consider a return to the Super Falcons if given full authority to select his own backroom team, including both foreign and Nigerian coaches.
“As I said I would love to come back to continue the job but I would only do it if I can pick my staff, my technical staff, and have the right people,” he explained.
Waldrum emphasised the importance of having the right team both on and off the field, drawing a comparison to successful organisations in business and sports, where the correct personnel in the right roles are essential for success.
“There’s a saying here in the US that to have successful companies, whether it’s a corporation or a business, whether it’s a sports team, whatever, you have to get not only the right people on the bus but you have to get the right people in the right seats on the bus if you want to win, I think that’s what will be key.”
He also underlined his commitment to working with Nigerian coaches, expressing his desire to help develop local talent, provided he is allowed to handpick those who would join his technical crew.
“I’m a big believer in having Nigerian local coaches and Nigerian on staff as well because you want to continue to educate and grow the game in Nigeria but I will want to pick those Nigerian coaches. I know two or three that will be really good and qualified and would be a great addition along with the staff I would bring.”
Waldrum concluded by admitting that while he is open to a possible return, he is unsure whether the Nigeria Football Federation would share his vision: “That’s just me, I don’t think the Federation has any thought of that but I would certainly continue to do it if they ever wanted me to.”
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