Our aim is to win - Super Falcons coach sends big message after qualifying for the World Cup

Coach of the Super Falcons of Nigeria Randy Waldrum has sent a clear message to clarify his team's objective at the ongoing 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The American tactician stated that notwithstanding their latest success, the team's focus for the tournament is to win the trophy altogether 

Rasheedat Ajibade scored the winning goal as Waldrum led the Falcons to a 1-0 quarterfinal victory over the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon on Thursday night, thereby securing automatic qualification to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

In his post-match press conference as reported by Africatopsports, Waldrum stated that he is indeed proud of the Super Falcons for qualifying for the semifinals of the tournament.

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The 65-year-old manager asserted that the most difficult part of any tournament is to reach the semifinals, an achievement that the Super Falcons have again delivered at the WAFCON.

Waldrum said: "Above all, I am proud of my team. The most difficult thing for a team is to get to this point (semi-final). We are therefore going through the most difficult stage. And at this press conference we present this team as an honor."

By defeating eternal rivals Cameroon, the Super Falcons qualified for their 12th WAFCON semi-final, continuing their record of making it to the last four of every WAFCON edition ever held.

Waldrum also praised the perseverance of the Super Falcons, stressing that the nine-time African champions found a way to overcome their challenges and pick up another World Cup ticket. 

Coaching at his first WAFCON tournament, Waldrum stated that the team would only celebrate their semifinal berth in a 'minimal' way and then turn their focus to winning the tournament outright.

"We have difficulties from the beginning, to overcome pitfalls. But the way the players defended themselves and found the way to win, honestly we are very excited to be qualified for the 2023 World Cup," Waldrum said.

"Tonight we celebrate this success in a minimal way, because we are preparing for the next goal is to win the tournament. But we are very proud."

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will be at the 2023 Australia/New Zealand Women's World Cup, again continuing their record of qualifying for every FIFA Women's World Cup since its inception in 1991.

The record WAFCON winners will now face host nation Morocco in the semifinals of the ongoing tournament on Monday, July 18 with the aim of clinching a final berth to defend their 2018 crown.