FRISCO, Texas (July 27, 2023) – Following a 3-2 win over co-host country Australia, the Nigerian women’s national football team — with multiple US Youth Soccer ties — sits atop Group B at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with one group play game remaining.
One reason for the Super Falcons’ success down under is head coach Randy Waldrum. The legendary coach started his career on the sidelines in 1978 with Pittsburg State University and has also led the programs at the University of Tulsa, Baylor University, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of Pittsburgh, where he still coaches.
Waldrum is well connected to US Youth Soccer, having been an Olympic Development Program (ODP) coach at North Texas Soccer.
Also on the coaching staff is PA West Soccer’s Director of Coaching Dr. Terry Eguaoje. No stranger to working with his native teams of Nigeria, Eguaoje left for the Women’s World Cup having previously worked with the men’s national team during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the 2022 African Nations Cup, where the Super Eagles reached the knockout stage.
Eguaoje jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the staff and was eager to showcase what he teaches at PA West — and the Mississippi Soccer Association before that — on the global stage for all to see. His primary responsibilities include creating and coaching training sessions of both Nigeria and their opponents, as well as in-game coaching assistance.
The Super Falcons have at least three US Youth Soccer alumnae contributing on the field, as well.
- Michelle Alozie has started both matches at the World Cup and played every minute for Nigeria. Alozie played for Legends FC (CA-S) and won the 2012 USYS National Championship with her team. She also competed three years in the National League with Legends FC, finishing in the top three each season, including a first-place finish in 2011-12.
- Toni Payne has started both matches for Nigeria at the World Cup. Payne played for BUSA 95 Elite (AL), with whom she won multiple State Cup titles and competed in the USYS Southern Regional Championships. She also participated in US Youth Soccer ODP at the state and regional levels.
- Ifeoma Onumonu has started both matches for Nigeria at the World Cup. Onumonu participated in US Youth Socer ODP.
Nigeria concludes its group play matches at the World Cup when it meets the Republic of Ireland at 6 a.m. ET on July 31.
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About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer)
US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers nearly 2.5 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and nearly 1 million administrators, coaches, and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.
