Falcons target ‘transformational’ win over England at World Cup

[FILE PHOTO] Nigeria’s coach Randy Waldrum (R) speaks with German assistant referee Katrin Rafalski (2nd R) during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group B football match between Australia and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane on July 27, 2023. (Photo by Patrick Hamilton / AFP)

Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum believes knocking European champions England out of the Women’s World Cup would be “transformational” for the sport in the country as the sides prepare to meet in the last 16 on Monday.

The Super Falcons have appeared at every Women’s World Cup going back to the inaugural edition in 1991 but their build-up to this year’s tournament was overshadowed by a row with their national federation over bonuses.

They had even threatened to boycott their opening game but put that behind them to draw with Olympic champions Canada and then beat co-hosts Australia.

A draw with the Republic of Ireland then ensured that they qualified for the last 16 at the expense of Canada and set up a clash with strongly-fancied England in Brisbane.

“It would be a huge win, obviously,” Waldrum said Sunday when asked about what knocking out England would signify.

“Already with what we have accomplished Nigeria is buzzing again, from what I understand.

“I don’t think people expected us to get out of the group and to get the results we have got, so I think it has already been a big success.

“But obviously if you can not only beat the Olympic gold medallists but turn around and beat the European champions then it would be something extremely special back home for all the people in Nigeria, and more importantly for this squad, for what they have worked so hard to do.

“So it certainly could be transformational in a lot of different ways.”

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