Super Falcons manager Randy Waldrum is very close to helping the team clinch its first ever Olympics ticket in almost two decades; npflupdates.com reports.
Waldrum was in charge of the Super Falcons when they beat arch rivals the Bayana Bayana of South Africa 1-0 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, last Friday.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade’s spot-kick late in the first half after forward Chinwendu Ihezuo was brought down in the box was the only difference between the two teams.
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Ihezuo who made a return to the national te after about 8 years away will be remembered for her effort and contributions in the encounter.
Her influence was so massive that coach Waldrum described her as being fantastic.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Waldrum said: “Fantastic, for me probably the player of the match. I thought she was fantastic up front, her hold-up play was brilliant.
What Waldrum said about Chinwendu Ihezuo
“She tracked every ball down whether she had a chance to get it or not. Almost every ball she put the defence under duress and that’s what you want out of a striker – a player that will put that kind of work in.
“She was outstanding, we knew she would do well. I have been following her in Mexico, if you guys have followed her there, she’s been playing very well this season.
“Maybe they were not quite prepared for her; she was great, fantastic.”
Speaking further the Pittsburgh Steelers coach revealed that his side were a bit unfortunate, as they failed to convert most if the opportunities in front of goal.
He however, appreciated players in the team’s defensive department; stressing the doggedness of the players.
“I thought we were a bit unfortunate not to have at least two or three goals victory tonight but I think the team played well.
“I thought we were good defensively considering we had some new players at the back, as we missed players like Ashleigh Plumptre and Tosin Demehim.
“I think the back four stood very strong. I can only remember two good opportunities that they (South Africa) had.
“Overall, I thought we could have controlled the game well. Try to finish up with the opportunities we had.
“But the bottom line is, we have one game left, and we have to get the result,” Waldrum said.
In another story, Bayana Bayana playmaker Thembi Kgatlana expressed confidence that her side can down Super Falcons 2024 Olympics dream.
According to the player, there wasn’t any pressure on the players as speculated by some football pundits. Stressing that the reigning African champions will go all out to secure victory in Pretoria on Tuesday.
“No, we just didn’t move the ball around as quickly as we wanted to in the first leg,” Kgatlana said.
“It’s always been a competition between Nigeria and South Africa, so it’s not pressure.
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“I think it couldn’t have been a better final to qualify for the Olympics.
The Tigres UANL player added, “We’ve been preparing, and there’s still one more leg. And I know that in the Olympic qualifiers, there’s no away goal rule.So right now, it’s 1-0 for Nigeria, and they still have to come to South Africa. So I think at the end, the end result is on Tuesday.”
