FIFA Women's World Cup: Super Falcons can emulate Class of '99, says Waldrum

• Published date: 18 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

Super Falcons Head Coach, Randy Waldrum has reiterated the confidence in his wards as they gear up for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The Super Falcons got a spot in the mundial after defeating Cameroon's Lionesses in the quarter finals of the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco last summer, with Rasheedat Ajibade scoring the crucial goal to earn a semi-final spot and the ticket to Australia/New Zealand. It meant the Falcons have made through to all editions of the FIFA Women's World Cup - a record shared with only six other teams globally.

Waldrum said that the present crop of Super Falcons is capable of emulating the 1999 set, and match their predecessors' feat of a quarter-final place at the global finals.

The Class of 1999 led by Florence Omagbemi defeated North Korea 2-1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena with goals from Mercy Akide and Rita Nwadike, before losing 1-7 to the USA despite taking a second-minute lead through Nkiru Okosieme.

Defeat to the Americans in Chicago stirred something in Africa's lone flag-bearer at the first FIFA Women's World Cup to feature 16 teams. In their next match, the Super Falcons flew past Denmark 2-0 at the Jack Kent Cooke Stadium near Washington DC, the goals coming from Mercy Akide and Nkiru Okosieme.

In the quarter...