NFF set to jeopardise Falcons ‘chances at Paris Olympics with Waldrum’s exit
Probably because he exposed NFF’s shenanigans before the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup NFF may have concluded plans to relieve Super Falcons Randy Waldrum of his job.
NFF subtly confirmed the exit of Waldrum, from his position when it charged its technical committee to search for new handlers for the team ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics’ qualifiers.
Waldrum and the federation had a frosty relationship on the eve of the World Cup, but the country’s subsequent impressive performance at the championship papered over the feud.
However, there were rumours after the championship that the NFF would not renew the American’s contract, which expired with the competition.
Speaking while inaugurating the recently constituted NFF Technical Committee in Abuja, the federation’s president, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, tasked them to constitute fresh technical crews for most of the national teams and provide direction for them.
He said: “The Super Falcons are back from the FIFA World Cup with aplomb, but we must remember that they have 2024 Olympics and 2024 Women AFCON qualifying matches shortly and should start to prepare for those games. The home-based professionals have qualifiers for the CHAN and the male and female U17 and U20 teams have qualification matches of high importance in a few months to come.”
Gusau promised that the NFF would support the committee in accomplishing its work while emphasising that meetings could be either physical or by video conference.
Responding, the Chairman of the committee, Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, stated that the committee would discharge its duties with every sense of responsibility and be guided by the vision of the Gusau-led administration to work proactively and energetically to ensure the real growth of the game of football in Nigeria in all its aspects and ramifications.
It will be recalled that Waldrum told the media that they owed him 14 months’ salary before the World Cup and the players two years' allowances and bonuses.
He also complained that despite getting a grant of about $1 million from FIFA for preparation for the World Cup the NFF did nothing to prepare the team.
Football buffs believed the NFF wanted to jeopardise the chances of the Falcons' qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and at the games proper,
“It doesn’t make sense at all. You have a coach that did well at the World Cup, who understands the players and Nigeria yet you want to dump him and bring a new coach less than 12 months to a global competition, these guys don’t love Nigeria it is
all about what they can get from the federation’’
