Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum, has explained why the Super Falcons should be higher than where it was ranked by FIFikA in the rankings released on Friday by the world body.
According to The PUNCH, the nine-time African champions moved up eight places from 40th to 32nd, following their impressive performance at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where they reached the round of 16 for the third time in the history of the competition.
Waldrum’s team defeated co-hosts Australia 3-2, ranked 10th, and earned draws against Olympic champions Canada who were ranked seventh and Ireland, ranked 21st, before losing to European champions and eventual finalists England, ranked third, on penalties in the round of 16.
While criticizing the ranking, the 66-year-old disclosed that the Falcons should be ranked among the top 20 women’s teams in the wake of their outstanding display at the World Cup.
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“Absolutely, we should be much higher after getting out of the group of death, not losing any game in 90 minutes, draw against defending Olympic Gold medalist (ranked 7), defeating host nation (ranked 10), draw against Ireland (ranked 21), and draw against European Champions England (ranked 3), we should at least be in the top 20,” Waldrum, who also coaches the Pittsburgh Panthers women’s team in the US, told PUNCH Sports Extra.
Waldrum also who also to express his disappointment, said, “Must say I am a little surprised at this to say the least…not in a positive way!”
Also reacting to the Falcons rise in the latest ranking, the team’s former defender, Yinka Kudaisi, said the team deserved a better ranking.
“I think I will agree with Waldrum on this issue, the Falcons deserve to be ranked better than the 32nd position they currently occupy,” she said.
“Personally, I didn’t expect the kind of performance they produced at the World Cup. They proved themselves and shamed critics who never gave them a chance.”
Meanwhile, Waldrum, whose contract expires October 32, says he will love to continue as the Falcons coach.
“I am proud of my team,” Waldrum told journalist Osasu Obayuwana.
“I want to stay with this team and continue working towards the Olympics (Paris 2024). But that is not a matter for me to decide.”
