Waldrum allegedly abandons Super Falcons after World Cup exit

Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum has reportedly left the team in Brisbane, opting to swiftly depart for the United States of America shortly after their exit from the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The Super Falcons’ journey in the World Cup came to an end after a closely contested match against the Three Lionesses of England, culminating in a 4-2 penalty shootout loss on Monday. In the wake of this disheartening defeat, Waldrum’s abrupt departure has raised eyebrows and stirred discussions within the sporting community.

Prompt News reports that Waldrum left the team’s hotel only hours after the team’s elimination, hastening to catch the next available flight back to the United States. Sources from the team’s camp revealed that the players and backroom staff were still in their slumber when the coach discreetly left the hotel premises.

Interestingly, it seems that Waldrum wasn’t alone in his decision to depart. Alongside him, several diaspora players, including Deborah Abiodun, Ifeoma Onumonu, Jennifer Echegini, Esther Okoronkwo, Michelle Alozie, Toni Payne, and Yewande Balogun, also left the hotel and joined him on the journey back.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team, along with other members of the backroom staff, is expected to begin their return journey to Nigeria starting on Wednesday.

Despite the apparent discord between Waldrum and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leading up to the World Cup, the 66-year-old coach had expressed his desire to continue as the head coach of the Super Falcons.