“Beyond Greatness” is the theme of this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
For the Super Falcons of Nigeria they have soared high beyond expectations by the time they took on European champions England in a Titanic Round of 16 clash.
🗣️Here's coach Randy Waldrum's post-match comments following our shootout loss to England #SoarSuperFalcons | #ENGNGA| #NGA | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/rdMj1JFblb
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) August 7, 2023
The anguish of missing out on a historic quarterfinal place that would have pitched them against the winners between Colombia and Jamaica at the weekend was too much to bear and so the tears flowed freely on the pitch and inside the dressing room in Brisbane.
The lottery of penalties put an end to their splendid run in Australia.
But the Super Falcons need not be ashamed that they crashed out at this stage of the tournament after they navigated past co-hosts Australia, Olympic Golden Medalist Canada and the higher-ranked Republic of Ireland to reach the knockout rounds of the World Cup.
They simply outclassed England on the biggest stage of world football.
The Falcons carved out 20 chances and hit the crossbar twice, while England managed 12 chances in this knockout round between the fourth best team in the world and 40th ranked outsiders.
They must be proud of their remarkable achievement at the World Cup, not to forget a $60,000-a-player bonus guaranteed by FIFA after they barely managed to qualify for the tournament.
And trust Nigerians to salute their gallantry.
“I am totally heartbroken but at the same time so proud of our “Extra Super” Falcons today. In spite of all the hardship & at times inhuman mistreatment, they have put Nigeria back up in world Football. God bless them all!!,” tweeted former Super Eagles coach and captain Sunday Oliseh.
Former Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu has even suggested the NFF should consider replacing Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro with Randy Waldrum after his tactics came a whisker to getting them to the last eight of the World Cup.
An appreciative fan also wants goalkeeper and captain Chiamaka Nnadozie to be drafted to the Super Eagles particularly as a goalkeeping crisis has persisted in the men’s team.
Love him or hate him, Waldrum’s tactics with emphasis on a very organised defence got the Falcons through this World Cup ‘Group of Death’ and to an epic showdown against the European champions.
That defensive solidity was seriously missing at the country’s previous eight appearances at the World Cup and so they leaked goals and lost matches they ought to have won.
Next task for the Texan, if he is allowed to continue on the job, is to work on a more clinical attack flying on speed and power that could be relied on for goals at all times.
This World Cup also ought to be the swan song for some of the veterans on the squad, like Onome Ebi and Francisca Ordega, to allow for more new young blood and energy into the team.
Despite the well-documented bad blood between Waldrum and his employers, the NFF, the reasonable thing will be for the American to continue in his post till at least the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The Super Falcons will be better for it to build on the gains and lessons from a most memorable World Cup outing.
Were this not to be, Nigeria will lose out on the golden opportunity to be a powerhouse and not just a regular participant on the global stage.
