With just two wins, one draw and a massive 6 losses in their last 9 world cup group stage matches across three tournaments, the omens aren’t in favour of the Super Falcons to successfully scale through their group in this summer’s world cup.
After the game against Haiti where his ladies won 2:1, Randy Waldrum believes (as stated in an NFF video) his team can continue their recent positive trajectory if they eliminate needless mistakes from their play - mistakes that gifted Haiti their only goal and several goals scoring opportunities.
Grouped alongside heavyweights Canada and Australia with high flying Ireland looking to go far in the competition, Nigeria have it all to do in the World Cup this summer.
After losing seven games in a row, the Super Falcons returned to winning ways in fine fashion against Costa Rica and Haiti in their last two friendlies and this fact appears to have imbued the team with an air of confidence and positivity.
But a large bevy of Falcons fans remain weary.
Personally I am cautiously optimistic.
The Super Falcons only lost narrowly to heavyweights USA (2:1) and drew against behemoths Canada (2:2) in the last encounters against the pair.
Beleaguered coach Waldrum is always quick to remind weary fans that his ladies overcame mighty Ivory Coast, Ghana and Cameroon to qualify for this tournament - which is true and admittedly highly commendable.
But for me the man can be his own worst enemy at times.
Arranging players out of position is a major flaw in his approach in my humble opinion. Waldrum - in his defence - believes international footballers should be flexible and adaptable to play positions different from where they play in their clubs.
Seeming inadequate in-game management and (probably) overreliance on certain players even when these players are not delivering the goods remain unattractive facets of the American gaffer’s presentation. It has to be said that these are my subjective observations which other commentators might refuse to accept.
That said, certain positive and compelling aspects of the Super Falcons’ performances against Japan, America and Canada, even in defeat, prove to me that Waldrum’s Super Falcons are capable of upsetting the applecart under certain conditions.
So, all hope is not lost.
In the likes of Plumptre, Oshoala, Ucheibe, Kanu, Okoronkwo, Ajibade, Nnadozie and Demehin, the Super Falcons have players who can hold their own against some of the best teams on the planet in my humble opinion.
All I think is left is for Waldrum to get his tactics, team selection and in-game management spot on.
If that happens, then, anything will be possible!
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