FORMER Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum, has raised serious questions for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the alleged $960,000 (about N1.45bn) released by FIFA in October 2022 to support Nigeria’s preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
News Point Nigeria Sports reports that in a viral video circulating across social media platforms, Waldrum accused the NFF of failing to provide the Super Falcons with a proper pre-tournament camping programme despite receiving the FIFA grant earmarked for that purpose.
According to the American coach, he became aware of the payment through a trusted contact in the United States who is connected with members of FIFA’s executive board.
“This person told me that in October, every country was given $960,000 from FIFA to prepare for the World Cup. Where is that money?” Waldrum asked.
Waldrum dismissed the team’s October 2022 trip to Japan, where the Falcons played a single friendly match as inadequate and even counterproductive, describing it as a rushed assignment with no meaningful training value.
“We flew in, played the game, and went home. Some of our players didn’t arrive until the morning before the match. Five players who were supposed to start came in the night before after a 16-hour flight.”
He noted that the situation robbed the team of five crucial days of preparation during that international window.
The former coach further revealed that FIFA permits national teams to travel with up to 22 technical staff, but the NFF elected to take only about 11, leaving critical gaps in analysis, scouting, and support roles.
“I don’t have an analyst, and I scout. The U.S. has a scout in Europe watching teams. We don’t even have scouts going with us to Australia. Everything I do is from videos and what I can find online.”
Waldrum also countered claims that the NFF could not afford business-class travel for the squad, insisting the world body already makes such provisions.
“FIFA funds the tickets and deducts the cost later. So there is no excuse to say money was the issue.”
Despite Waldrum’s allegations, records show the Super Falcons engaged in several international friendlies in the build-up to the World Cup: USA friendlies – August 2022, Japan friendly – October 2022, Revelations Cup in Mexico – February 2023, Turkey camp – April 2023, where Nigeria beat New Zealand (3–0) and Haiti (2–1).
