Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum he is unfazed to meet England in the round of 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria reached the round of 16 finishing second behind co-host, Australia after a goalless draw with Ireland on Monday in Brisbane.
Despite issues of unpaid allowances to the players and Waldrum that beclouded the team preparation, the Super Falcons proved their mettle drawin against Olympic champions, Canada before a dramatic 3-2 win against Australia but failed to make it a second victory against Ireland.
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The Super Falcons could face England in the knockout stage and Waldrum believed his players are equal to any task.
“If it’s England, it’s the European champions. We’ve already played the Olympic gold medallists (Canada).
“We’ve already played the host nation (Australia),” he said.
“So it’s just going to be another one of those matches that we’ve already been playing in.”
Speaking on his team performance against a determined Ireland side that wanted to hold on to at least a win, the American coach said he was proud of what the African side had achieved despite the complaints.
“I just told them that two years ago, when we started this journey, so many things went well and so many things didn’t go well.
“They never gave up, they continued to believe,” a smiling Waldrum said after they sealed qualification for the last 16.
“You know, I was actually disappointed in the second half because we could have won the match.
“So it almost feels disappointing that we didn’t get the result, the three points.
“But all of us would have taken this result before we started the match just to know we got through.”
Nigeria will remain in Brisbane to face the group D victor, with England leading by three points going into their final group match against China.
Ireland’s coach, Vera Pauw, said it was a “fantastic feeling” to draw against Nigeria, whom she characterised as a top-10 nation despite the African team being placed 40th in the globe. Ireland now has its first-ever globe Cup point.