Olympics: Super Falcons’ Waldrum, Ajibade confident as Cameroon coach boasts

SUPER Falcons of Nigeria head coach Randy Waldrum and captain Rasheedat Ajibade are upbeat about the team’s chances of advancing to the final qualifying round for the Paris 2024 Olympics women’s football event.

The nine-time African champions host Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in Abuja tomorrow in the second leg of their qualifying tie after the first leg ended 0-0 in Douala on Friday.

Both squads flew to Abuja on the same flight from Douala today, and Waldrum is backing his side to send the visitors back to Cameroon in tears tomorrow.

“We played a good game in Douala and we are confident of our chances to get the ticket in Abuja,” the American told the Nigeria Football Federation communication department.

“It was never going to be easy having only a few days together with the girls, but we will make the best of the opportunities that we are able to create on home ground on Monday.”

Ajibade, who scored the only Nigeria goal that eliminated Cameroon from the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco 19 months ago, and also netted two of the goals that sent Ethiopia packing in the second round of this qualifying series, says the Falcons’ sights are set on the ticket.

“Our objective remains getting the Olympics ticket. Personally, I have never played at the Olympics and that is the case with an overwhelming majority of players in this team,” the Atletico Madrid forward said.

“We are determined to take this opportunity. We have another 90 minutes to make our claim to the final-round ticket and we are focused on a positive result.”

However, Cameroon coach Jean-Baptiste Bisseck believes his Lionesses will hunt down the Falcons in their own backyard.

“We will play on the Abuja field as if we are playing at home,” he boasted. “Cameroon will not entertain any fear. The Lionesses are prepared to win and make progress.”

The winners of the tie will face either African champions South Africa or Tanzania in the final qualifying round as the Super Falcons seek to return to the Olympics for the first time since 2008.