Written by Bethel Kalu
On Monday, July 4, 2022, the Super Falcons will begin a journey to win their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title. This is Randy Waldrum’s first WAFCON tournament with the Falcons and he has abundant talents in the team. We take a look at major selection headaches for the US coach
The US tactician will not be worried about who starts in goal. Chiamaka Nnadozie has made the number one spot her own, though Oluehi is also good and is a veteran who has won the tournament too. At the last WAFCON, Nnadozie was second choice goalkeeper and she has moved to the first position
Waldrum’s first worry will be in defense. Since Ashley Plumptre played her first game for the Falcons, she has shown how versatile she is. She has played for the team at left back and in central defense and is now a key member of the squad.
Will Randy Waldrum drop Ebi or Ohale to play Plumptre in central defense? For a long time, Onome Ebi and Osinachi Ohale have been the central defenders for the Falcons and with Ebi getting older and losing pace, Randy will have to decide whether to play Ohale and Plumptre in central defense or Ebi and Plumptre or even push Plumptre to left back. Still, Nicole Payne is in the team and can play from left back and Glory Ogbonna is back to the team. Fixing Plumptre in the starting 11 is a major headache for Waldrum
Randy Waldrum’s midfield is loaded and it is a major source or his selection headache. Waldrum seems to favour Rita Chikwelu in central midfield. This time, he will have to choose between Halimatu Ayinde who has been in the team for some time and Benfica’s Christy Ucheibe who has been a revelation since making her debut for the team. Ucheibe fights for every ball and provides a dependable cover for the defense. Regina Ibiang is another fine defensive midfielder in the team who has proven herself, hence Waldrum will have to make a difficult choice.
In the attacking midfield position, it gets more interesting. Tony Payne has been a blessing to the team especially when playing the number 10 role and she did that so well when the skillful Ngozi Okobi was out of the team. Okobi is back and in the form of her life, after a brilliant season with Eskilstuna of Sweden where she added goals to her game and was also named among the best players of the season.
Randy Waldrum also plays Rasheedat Ajibade as a number 10 and so far, the Atletico Madrid striker has not disappointed Waldrum in that role and has received praises from the coach. So, Randy will have to decide who plays as his number 10 or who leads his team’s creative room
In attack, Waldrum boasts of the most lethal attack in Africa. His attackers have a combined number of over 60 goals this season for their clubs.
Randy seems to have settled for Gotham FC’s Ifeoma Onumonu as his lead striker while Oshoala will play from the flanks or behind Onumonu in a 4-4-2 formation. Randy will have to decide who to start between Uchenna Kanu and Francisca Ordega.
Both players played crucial roles in Nigeria qualifying for the tournament with goals and assists. While Uchenna brings power, pace and calmness to attack, Ordega brings speed, trickery and experience to the team’s attack, having been in the team for 12 years, so big games and tournaments are familiar terrains
He will also have to decide whether to move to play Monday Gift as a support striker or from the wings, depending on circumstances and he must also find a place for Macleans Chinonyerem who scored 20 goals in Poland and scooped the top scorer award
Waldrum has a selection headache that every coach would dream to have–a team replete with talents and proven achievers who are in form and ready to play
Randy will test his decisions with an explosive encounter against South Africa on Monday evening