Paris 2024: Why I didn’t feature Asisat Oshoala against South Africa – Randy Waldrum

Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum has opened up on reasons why female African footballer of the year and Bay FC of United States striker, Asissat Oshoala did not feature in yesterday’s Olympic qualifier against the Banyana Banyana of South Africa.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Super Falcons secured a slim victory over the South Africans courtesy of Rasheedat Ajibade’s 43rd minute penalty goal.

Ajibade’s goal managed to be the only goal of the encounter as both goalkeeper made saves to deny opponents from scoring.

Speaking during the post match conference, Waldrum said he didn’t feature Oshoala because she got to camp late and was suffering from jet lag.

He added that he will assess her fitness level to be able to decide if the Bay FC striker would feature in the reverse feature coming up next week in Pretoria, South Africa.

“Asisat just arrived camp and obviously and visibly she looks tired from the long travels she had, this explains why I didn’t feature her in the game.

“I will access her fitness level to be able to decide if she will feature in the reverse fixture taking place next week in South Africa,” Waldrum said.

The Super Falcons coach during the post-match media briefing at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, went further to say the team lost several scoring chances in spite of the lone goal victory over Banyana Banyana of South Africa on Friday in Abuja.

Waldrum also said that it was unfortunate that the Super Falcons failed to score more than a goal in the match they dominated defensively.

A well-taken 42nd minute penalty by Captain Rasheedat Ajibade separated both sides in the game. Nigeria, however, heads to the return leg in South Africa on Tuesday, hoping to pick a ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics after 16 years of absence.

“I thought we were a bit unfortunate not to have at least two or three goals victory tonight but I think the team played well. I thought we were good defensively considering we had some new players at the back as we missed players like Ashleigh Plumptre and Tosin Demehim.

“I think the back four stood very strong. I can only remember two good opportunities that they (South Africa) had. Overall I thought we could have controlled the game well, try to finish up with the opportunities we had.

“But the bottom line is, we have one game left and we have to get the result,” Waldrum said.

Tuesday’s return leg at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria is still so much to play for with the Falcons only a goal up in the fixture.

The Banyana Banyana will fly back to Johannesburg on Saturday morning while the Super Falcons will fly out of Lagos on Sunday night.