The Super Falcons beat fellow World-cup-bound team, Haiti in Antalya in a keenly contested encounter. Esther Okoronkwo and Asisat Oshoala got the goals for Nigeria. Despite the win, there is still much to be desired
Randy Waldrum has been given enough time and a great measure of freeness to select his team. The American met many players on ground and brought in some, still it is unclear what Randy Waldrum hopes to achieve. With two months to the World Cup, his team still lacks structure.
It felt good for Oshoala to return to the team but her impact in the game was not felt. She was lost in attack and to be fair, was starved in attack. She also was seen playing as if she were nursing an injury and she had chances to get a hat-trick but missed them, including two potential assists from Oparanozie. When will Asisat translate her form to the national team? Is the problem really from her or Randy Waldrum?
Rasheedat Ajibade needs to know how to play as a team member. In this game, the Atletico Madrid player focused more on showy display of skills than actual business of football. Her impact was further limited because of Randy Waldrum’s inconsistency in finding a deserved spot for her. This also goes to other forwards in the team who wanted to do more than they could.
Who of us was not surprised when Randy Waldrum introduced Desire Oparanozie and pushed her to the right flank? She thrives as a centre forward. At that point, it should have been better to move Asisat to the wings and play Oparanozie in her natural role. With that decision, the team became confused and lost shape. Oparanozie was dangling and even drifted into midfield at a point.
The full backs had a good game. Alozie and Imuran were brilliant. Imuran did the work of a modern left back with deft touches and nicely connected with Ajibade.
Then, I ask Randy Waldrum: What was Christy Ucheibe doing at centre back when Plumptre and Ohale were on the bench? That decision caused the goal the team conceded.
When will Waldrum stop his “annoying” experiments and face the business of playing these girls in their proper positions?
This team has potential and some of the best players in the world but…
Randy Waldrum, what do you hope to achieve with these experiments?
May football forbid it that Randy Waldrum will one day, perhaps at the World Cup, bench Oshoala and start Nnadozie in attack.