Nigeria’s coach, Randy Waldrum, stated that his team was underestimated and underappreciated before the Women’s World Cup. However, they have proven their critics wrong. They are now preparing for a crucial Group B match against the Republic of Ireland. Nigeria shocked Australia with a 3-2 victory in their previous game and currently lead the group with four points. A win against Ireland, who have already been eliminated, would secure their spot in the round of 16. Waldrum emphasized that Nigeria is a better team than their ranking of 40th in the world.
Despite their recent success, Waldrum acknowledges that the match against Ireland will be challenging. Ireland narrowly lost their first two games against Australia and Canada and were unlucky not to achieve better results. Waldrum believes that this could be Nigeria’s toughest match and expects Ireland to put up a strong fight. He has been impressed with Ireland’s team and their organization, and he does not anticipate them to give up easily.
One standout player for Nigeria in the tournament has been goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. Playing for Paris FC, Nnadozie has made crucial saves in their previous matches, including a penalty save in the draw against Canada. Waldrum praised Nnadozie’s performance and highlighted her continuous improvement as a young player. He believes that she will only get better and considers her among the top goalkeepers in the world.
Waldrum also expressed confidence in leading forward Asisat Oshoala, who has been dealing with injuries. He mentioned that they have been managing her minutes to ensure her well-being and might have to do the same in the upcoming match. However, Oshoala will definitely be playing, and her playing time will be determined based on her condition.
In conclusion, Nigeria has defied expectations in the Women’s World Cup and is determined to continue their success. They are focused on their upcoming match against Ireland, recognizing the challenges they will face. With standout players like Chiamaka Nnadozie and Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria is confident in their abilities and aims to secure their place in the round of 16.
