Randy Waldrum ‘extremely excited’ after Nigeria women’s soccer qualified for Olympics for first time since 2008

Photo courtesy Deb Abiodun (Twitter)

It will be another Summer of travel for Pitt women’s soccer Head Coach Randy Waldrum and a pair of Pitt student-athletes who are representing Nigeria’s Women’s National soccer team.

Less than a year since he guided Nigeria to a successful FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance in Australia, Waldrum returned to guide the Super Falcons to earn a berth in this year’s upcoming Olympic tournament this week, thanks to a 1-0 aggregate victory in two matches vs the reigning African Cup champions, South Africa.

“I am just extremely excited,” Waldrum said afterwards. “I know how much it means to the fans of Nigeria, to the NFF, to all the people of Nigeria not to have qualified for 16 years, so I am very thankful and I just appreciate the support.”

On Tuesday, the Super Falcons secured their spot to compete in their fifth Olympics Women’s Football Tournament, to be held in France, following a 0-0 draw in Pretoria, South Africa, in the second leg of qualifying two-match showdown vs South Africa.  The Super Falcons won the first leg, 1-0, on April 5.

Great job by the @NGSuper_Falcons and I couldn’t do it without @quiggs914 & @eboboritse #Olympics https://t.co/YFk4vdqmOK

— Randy Waldrum (@CoachWaldrum) April 9, 2024

For Waldrum, Tuesday’s result, and Friday’s win before that, means that he can breathe a sigh of relief after claiming some measure of payback over South Africa in what could arguably be the longest rivalry in women’s soccer on the African continent.

In previous two matches vs South Africa, Waldrum-led Nigeria squads lost both times.

The first meeting was at the Aisha Buhari Cup in 2021, as Banyana Banyana embarrassed The Super Falcons 4-2 in their own backyard. The second meeting was at the 2022 WAFCON in Morocco, where Banyana ran out 2-1 winners on their way to winning their first ever African title.

At the World Cup in Australia last Summer, Waldrum led an impressive tournament effort against world’s best teams, posting three clean sheets in their four games and were only eliminated on penalties against England.

Heartbreak in Brisbane: Randy Waldrum’s Nigeria Super Falcons fall to England in dramatic penalty kick shootout

“I think this is our seventh or eighth clean sheet in nine games,” Waldrum said in his post match remarks following the draw vs South Africa.

“Australia is the only team that scored twice on us. So, we’ve been very good defensively. I always felt strong about that. And with some proper work, we’ll even get better with things on the offensive side which I know everyone has been asking for.”

Most recently, Pitt women’s soccer announced the addition of Celine Ottah, who will be the second Nigerian international to join the Panthers program, for the 2024 Fall season. Ottah will be joined by midfielder Deborah Abiodun, who excelled as a midfielder in her first season in college in 2023.

Abiodun has played a key role in the central midfield for the Super Falcons, emerging as a leader with the group.

Thank you Lord for the Olympic ticket 🙌 This means a lot to us 💯 Always a Privilege to represent my Dear Nation 🇳🇬 and play alongside my strong and Incredible Super Falcons 💪 Work in Progress 🫶🥰🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/ME6IeX7Lha

— Abiodun Deborah (@Abiodundebby100) April 10, 2024

Nigeria will be one of 12 women’s soccer nations, including the United States, who will compete in the Olympic tournament, which is scheduled to take place between July 25-August 10.

The Super Falcons will in four-team group C, which will also include Brazil, Japan and World Cup champions, Spain.  They will kick off round-robin play on July 25, vs Brazil, then face Spain on July 28, and Japan on July 31.