Following their performance in the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum feels the 11-time African champions should be ranked among the top countries in women’s football.
Nigeria was eliminated from the competition in the round of 16 on Monday after regular and extra time went goalless.
The Falcons were also the lowest-ranked team in their group, earning a spot ahead of Olympic winners Canada, who are presently rated seventh in the world. They defeated co-hosts Australia 3-2 before being held to a goalless draw by No. 22 ranked Ireland in their last group encounter. England is rated fourth after defeating the Falcons in the last 16.
Despite being eliminated, Waldrum was impressed with his team, which is presently rated 40th in the world, for beating the odds at the competition.
“We can be and should be probably one of the top teams in the world by going from 40 on the FIFA rankings to a better number. I think we have also shown we are capable of playing against anybody. What you saw was England having a little more experience in playing these kinds of matches, being able to play with a man down and managing the game. Maybe that’s where we fell short,” Waldrum said after the game.
