Ahead 2023 FIFA WWC: Falcons take on Lions Saturday in Brisbane

By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist

Apparently to guage the level of preparedness of Nigeria’s senior women’s football team Super Falcons, Head Coach Randy Waldrum has arranged a test-match for his wards against Lions Football Club, a local women’s football club in Brisbane, Australia, on Saturday.

Promptnews can confirm that Waldrum who has in the past one week engaged in media war with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has decided to face the assignment at hand by playing a test-match with Lions FC at Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre located at 296 Nerang Broadbeach Rd, Carrara QLD 4211 at 2:30 pm Australia time.

According to camp sources the friendly match with the local club will enable Falcons coach perfect his tactics and formation to be adopted by Nigeria when the former African champions take on the reigning Olympic champions, Canada on July 21 in the first Group B tie.

The American-born gaffer will miss the services of two important players like Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimat Ayinde who bagged red cards in the ill-tempered semi final match between Nigeria and Morocco in the last Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

This means Waldrum has to start Ajibade and Ayinde’s replacement in Saturday’s test-match in Brisbane. Without the duo, the coach is left with Christy Ucheibe, Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini who will pair with Toni Payne in the midfield in his usual 4-4-2 formation.