Super Falcons of Nigeria head coach, Randy Waldrum, has sought early preparation for his side to enable them challenge for a medal at the 2024 Olympic Games women’s football tournament.
Waldrum made this disclosure while appealing to the Sports Ministry and the Nigeria Football Federation for their support to adequately prepare for the tournament.
The American gaffer outlined the needs of the Nigeria’s side to impress at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Super Falcons and Zambia secured their spots in Paris as African qualifying culminated on Tuesday.
Nigeria, ranked 36th in the world, will return to the Olympics for the first time since 2008.
“Now my plea and challenge is to the Minister of Sport and to the federation – to help us prepare properly,” Waldrum said.
The West Africans qualified after securing a goalless draw away against South Africa in Pretoria, progressing 1-0 on aggregate thanks to goal from Rasheedat Ajibade who fired home from the spot to get the victory in the first leg.
The Super Falcons will slug it out with world champions – Spain, Japan and Brazil in Group C in Paris.
“We need a camp in Europe to prepare for the group that we have – we need proper training, we need proper transportation,” Waldrum, 67, added.”We need to do things right because these women deserve this opportunity to represent our country of Nigeria in the best possible way.”
Eleven-time continental champions Nigeria will be making their fourth appearance at the Olympics, with their best previous result a quarter-final exit in Athens in 2004.
The Super Falcons reached the last 16 at the Women’s World Cup last year, losing to eventual runners-up England on penalties.
“With this field being small in the Olympics, every team is a top team,” American Waldrum added.
“And if you look at our group, again – like the World Cup – it’s the group of death, so to speak.
“Sixteen years without qualifying is a long time and I am extremely proud of the girls. There is work to be done when it comes to our attack, and we will improve before heading to France.”
The women’s football tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games begins on 25 July, a day before the opening ceremony in Paris, with the final on 10 August.
