Oluchi tobex Tobe-Chukwu
Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum says he is impressed with the performance of players at the Austria camp after their first series of training in preparation for the Aisha Buhari Invitation Tournament.
“The camp this week has been really good for us. We have not had the opportunity to train previously so this is an important week. The players have been fantastic. The intensive level has been great. I think the team spirit has been really good. It’s a week in which we can get a lot of our game model implemented on how we want to play. I am very pleased for now.”
The tactician was of the view that the Aisha Buhari Invitation Tournament is an opportunity for the team to prepare for their 2022 AWCON Qualifiers against Black Queens of Ghana.
When tobexmedia.com asked about the team’s readiness for the Aisha Buhari’ cup
He said: “Every time we step on the field, the goal is to always win. We are excited about the opportunity to play some games at home and let the fans see the progress the team has made. With great competition in the tournament as well, it is going to help prepare us for our first qualifying game against Ghana. We are excited about the opportunity.”
Chiamaka Nnadozie, Ngozi Okobi, and Desire Oparanozie returned to the squad for the first time under Coach Randy Waldrum.
“The new players that just joined were fantastic. We have tried to get all three of them (Desire Oparanozie, Ngozi Okobi, and Chiamaka Nnadozie) for a while now. We haven’t been able to for some reason. We can see the successes they had and now seeing them, one can see the qualities they possess. I wished we had them in Texas against the US but it allowed us to see some younger players. Adding those veteran players that have got leadership qualities on the field can’t be replaced. They have been a great addition.” Says Coach Waldrum.
“I feel better about where I am in seeing all the players in a pool and getting a better understanding about where the players fit in the order of the team. I have a better grasp and a much better understanding of what we have and what we have to work with. Much closer to knowing who would be in our group to be invited and play in those important games that we have ahead of us. I feel much better now than when I did at our first week in Turkey.”
Two sets of sisters (Payne and Ijeh sisters) have been invited into the squad in the Austria camp.
“It’s unusual to have two sets of sisters in a team especially for any team and a national team. That has to be unbelievable for their families, parents, friends, and relatives to be proud of. The good thing is that both sets of sisters are young and will grow a lot with our program as we continue to bring them in and develop work with them. They are all in a different place now in terms of what they had to offer our team, but it’s been a great opportunity to see them and I know it’s going to be exciting for them to play with their sisters. It’s a special time for all of us. He concluded.
