Former Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum has openly challenged the Nigeria Football Federation to account for the $960,000 he says FIFA paid every participating nation in October 2022 as preparation grant for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
In a widely circulated video, the American tactician alleged the money never reached the team in any meaningful way.
“I have a real close contact here in the US that is very connected with some of the board at FIFA. 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.
He described the October 2022 friendly trip to Japan as chaotic, with key players arriving just hours before kick-off after exhausting 16-hour journeys, and criticised the NFF for travelling with only about 11 backroom staff instead of the 22 permitted by FIFA.
“We don’t even have scouts going with us to Australia. Everything I have to do is on videos and what I can pick up online,” he added.
Despite the complaints, official records show the Super Falcons played friendlies against the United States (August 2022), Japan (October 2022), Mexico (February 2023), and held camps in Turkey (April 2023) and Australia (July 2023).
The team went on to deliver a strong World Cup campaign, drawing with Olympic champions Canada and Republic of Ireland, beating co-hosts Australia 3-2, and reaching the Round of 16 before falling to England on penalties.
The Nigeria Football Federation is yet to respond to Waldrum’s fresh allegations.
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