Paris 2024 Olympics: Waldrum lauds Super Falcons’ performance despite early exit

Randy Waldrum, head coach of the Super Falcons, has commended the team for their performance in the Paris 2024 Olympics women’s football tournament, despite their exit in the group stage.

It was always going to be a tough ordeal for the Super Falcons who were returning to the Olympics after a 16-year hiatus. The nine-time African champions were drawn against the tournament’s favourites in Group C.

Although Nigeria hoped to progress beyond the group stage, losses to Brazil and Spain dashed those dreams. A 3-1 defeat to Japan on Thursday confirmed their exit from the tournament.

With three losses in this year’s Olympics, the Waldrum-led team couldn’t improve Nigeria’s record at the tournament, which now stands at one win and 11 losses in 12 matches.

Despite the disappointment, Waldrum commended the team’s effort, emphasising the unique challenges of competing on the global stage.

“People have to understand that the Olympics is not like playing Tanzania or Equatorial Guinea, where goals come easily,” the 67-year-old told Totori News.

“It’s not like playing Cape Verde. Brazil, Spain, and Japan are top teams in the world, and the margin for error is slim. The players gave their all, and I am proud of them.”

Having secured qualification for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the Super Falcons will look to bounce back when the competition kicks off on July 5, 2025, in Morocco.