December 03, (THEWILL) – The Super Falcons of Nigeria have been the dominant force in African women’s football for over two decades. As 11-time champions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and ever-present at the FIFA Women’s World Cup since 1991, their pedigree remained undisputed on the continent for years on end.
However, their status as African queens, which was initially jolted at the 2008 WAFCON, where they finished 3rd, in 2022 where they were 4th, came into question at the 2021 Nigeria Football Federation-organised Aisha Buhari Cup, where South Africa’s Bayana Bayana whipped the Super Falcons 4-2.
Most recently, the status of the Nigerian women’s team, which was rising again, was dented by a heartbreaking exit on penalties to England in the round of 16 of the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
That loss, which was believed to have lit a fire within the Super Falcons as they embarked on qualification for the 2024 WAFCON in Morocco, did not initially seem that way when they played in the qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympics. In their first competitive match since the World Cup, the Falcons faced off against Ethiopia to a disappointing 1-1 draw away from home. It was a massive letdown from the impressive heights of the World Cup performances. Fans widely lambasted the display and called for an improvement in the reverse fixture. They got what they asked for.
The Super Falcons comprehensively defeated Ethiopia 4-0 in the return match, played at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Nigeria’s capital Abuja. The hosts put on a dominant performance that made it easy to forget the disappointing first leg draw. The coaching team made two changes to the starting XI as Rofiat Imuran and Ifeoma Onumonu started. Just before halftime, Uchenna Kanu calmly slotted home to give Nigeria the lead after a pinpoint pass from defender Oluwatosin Demehin.
The floodgates opened in the second half, with Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala getting on the score sheet with a textbook header in the 68th minute. In between Oshoala’s goal, Atlético Madrid’s Rasheedat Ajibade netted a brace to pad Nigeria’s lead. Her first finish in the 50th minute came from an assist by Oshoala, and she wrapped up the scoring in the 72nd minute after combining well with Oshoala again.
The emphatic 4-0 result saw Nigeria through at 5-1 on aggregate. They will next face either Cameroon or Uganda in the penultimate qualifying round for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. After that game, questions began to circulate about the whereabouts of Super Falcons’ coach, Randy Waldrum, who was absent from both fixtures and had not been seen with the team since the end of the World Cup. The uncertainty around his continued functioning in the role did not abate, even with the successful 4-0 second leg result.
Waldrum’s continued absence was critical as Nigeria had to face Cape Verde in the second round of qualifying for the WAFCON. Cape Verde was expected to pose little problems based on their respective world rankings, but that was the mindset of the Super Falcons going up against Ethiopia in the first leg of the Olympic qualifiers. Complacency was always going to be dangerous.
Reports monitored by THEWILL claimed Waldrum was unable to join the Falcons’ camp due to his university coaching duties in the USA. His absence obviously stripped the team of the architect of their World Cup performances where they pushed England all the way before bowing out painfully on penalties.
Waldrum has also been embroiled in confrontations with the NFF over contractual disputes regarding his long-term future. Without his tactical acumen and man management, question marks will continue to hover over the Nigerian camp.
Furthermore, talismanic striker and captain, Asisat Oshoala withdrew from the squad, along with emerging midfield talent Jennifer Echegini.
Oshoala, the reigning African Women’s Player of the Year and nominee for another record-extending honour, leaves a gaping hole in attack that appeared difficult to fill. Yet, the quality of talent available in the squad meant that her combination of skill, speed and ruthless scoring prowess, which is virtually unmatched on the continent, was not missed against Cape Verde.
As for Echegini, the midfielder enjoyed an outstanding freshman season for Florida State University and was expected to add flair and youthful fearlessness to the midfield. The 22-year-old’s promise is immense and resolving her absence to ensure availability moving forward will be key. Abdulrafiu Yusuf, who is the NFF’s Assistant Director (Technical), said the requests of Oshoala and Echegini to pull out of the team came as a surprise to the Federation, which had sent their invites accordingly. Reasons for their absence may come to the fore in due time.
Another curious omission was newly eligible defender Ashleigh Plumptre, who plays club football for Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. Plumptre impressed for the Falcons before and during the World Cup but has since been left out entirely from selection. As a smooth, ball-playing centre-back, she adds quality defensive depth making fans wonder as to the rationale of her continued absence. It has since become clear, by her own admission, that fitness issues were behind her absences.
In the absence of Waldrum, assistant coach Justin Madugu took the helm. While Madugu lacks the experience of Waldrum at international level, his tactical decisions and motivational ability were put to the test right away against Cape Verde in their opening 2024 WAFCON qualifier. The Super Falcons showed little signs of distraction or weakness despite these absences. Storming to a dominant 5-0 first leg victory over Cape Verde in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the Falcons took control of the tie from the early moments.
The rout began with experienced striker Uchenna Kanu, who netted twice for Nigeria, with the opening goal coming in the 7th minute. Gift Monday added to the lead in the 25th minute before Kanu found the net again, making it 3-0 going into half-time. After the break, Esther Okoronkwo came off the bench and promptly scored a brace of her own to round out the scoring for the home side.
In addition to the standout attacking display, Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, whose job between the sticks for Nigeria was instrumental to their impressive World Cup display, made a remarkable save to deny Cape Verde an equaliser shortly after they conceded the opening goal, highlighting the all-around strength of the Nigerian squad.
The only critique that could be levelled at the Falcons was some wayward finishing, as nine shots missed the target. However, this seems like nitpicking given the ruthlessness of the performance overall. Cape Verde was simply overwhelmed and defeated by the time the referee blew the final whistle.
While the Falcons took care of business emphatically in the first leg, they will not read too much into this result against limited opposition. Beating Cape Verde home and away was expected for a team with designs on being Africa’s flagship side. Waldrum remained unavailable for the second leg qualifier away to Cape Verde so avoiding injuries or fatigue was a priority once the tie was won.
The real statement of intent will come later in the Olympic qualifying series against heavier weighted sides like Cameroon or Uganda. The Super Falcons are highly motivated to reassert their dominance over such African opponents after falling just short at recent WAFCON tournaments and at the World Cup. Qualifying for the 2024 WAFCON and the Olympics will be the first marker en route to redemption on the world stage.
There remain uncertainties with leadership quandaries and absences of key players. However as the Cape Verde demolition showed, the essence of the Falcons dynastic pedigree and winning mentality in Africa remains intact. With talents such as Plumptre, Nnadozie, Kanu and Okoronkwo rising to prominence, and the assurance in the striking quality of Oshoala and Ajibade, the future remains bright.
The road to Morocco 2024 and Paris 2024 promises twists and intrigue, but the smart money remains on the Falcons to eventually soar again to their customary position atop the African game. Nursing the scars of their near misses against South Africa at the 2021 Aisha Buhari Cup, WAFCON 2022 and England at the 2023 World Cup, this Nigeria squad appears more focused than ever on re-establishing themselves as Africa’s undisputed queens of football. Are we seeing a return to dominance on the continent? Time will tell.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
