ABUJA, June 28, 2025 — Former Head Coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Randy Waldrum, has issued a stern warning to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), cautioning that the country’s dominance in African football will not last without urgent investment in infrastructure and proper support systems.
In a candid interview with Eagles Tracker, Waldrum, who led the team to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and secured a spot at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, expressed deep concern over the NFF’s handling of football development.
“It’s easier to dispose of coaches if they don’t win, but with what’s going on in Africa, it’s going to be difficult to continue winning if the Federation doesn’t start to support things better,” Waldrum said.
Lack of Financial Support and Vision
Waldrum, 68, didn’t hold back as he revealed that during his four-year stint, the NFF’s financial mismanagement had left him unpaid for 14 months.
“If I wasn’t working at Pittsburgh, I would’ve lost my home here,” he revealed, referencing his simultaneous role as head coach of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers women's team.
He stressed that countries like Morocco, South Africa, and Ivory Coast are fast overtaking Nigeria because of their serious investments in football infrastructure and talent development.
“Nigeria almost feels like it’s a birthright to win the WAFCON, but it won’t continue that way. A day will come when they won’t even qualify for the World Cup if they’re not careful,” he warned.
Missed Opportunity: A 10-Year Vision Ignored
Waldrum also shared that he had developed a comprehensive 10-year plan aimed at revolutionizing Nigerian football, with a roadmap to World Cup success through structured youth development and long-term planning.
“My hope when I took the job was that I could bring new ideas and a thought process. I wanted to bring the organisation and structure we use in the United States. I believed Nigeria had the talent—it just needed the planning.”
During his time, Nigeria saw a notable wave of foreign-born talents returning to represent the country, a feat largely credited to his extensive networks in the U.S.
The Road Ahead
The Super Falcons, now under the leadership of Coach Justin Madugu, are preparing for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with their opening match against Tunisia on July 6, followed by clashes with Botswana and Algeria.
With growing concerns about the team’s financial and infrastructural support, Waldrum’s warning serves as a wake-up call.
“There’s so much potential to do great things on both the men’s and women’s side in Nigeria. But if we don’t change how we support our football, that potential may never be fulfilled,” he concluded.
As Nigeria aims to maintain its legacy in African football, all eyes are now on the NFF’s willingness to implement reforms that go beyond short-term fixes—and toward building a future worthy of its talent.
