Former Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum has again accused the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of mismanaging funds meant for the national women’s team after a video surfaced showing him questioning the handling of FIFA’s $960,000 Women’s World Cup preparation grant.
In the viral clip, Waldrum alleged that FIFA released the money specifically to support Nigeria’s build-up to the 2023 Women’s World Cup, including the provision of 22 technical staff, travel logistics and friendly matches. He said the reality fell far short of what the grant was intended to cover.
“FIFA gave NFF $960k for World Cup preparations, paid for 22 technical staffs. Yet, NFF gave me 11. They couldn’t pay flight tickets, no friendlies. I don’t know why Nigerians don’t question these kind of things,”
Waldrum said.
The latest comment revives the long-running dispute between the American coach and the NFF, which dominated Nigeria’s build-up to the 2023 tournament. Months before the World Cup, Waldrum publicly queried the whereabouts of the $960,000 grant and also claimed he was owed several months’ salary. Several Super Falcons players later confirmed through FIFPRO that outstanding allowances and camp payments were still unsettled.
Despite the funding and administrative controversies, FIFA’s grant was meant to cover training camps, friendly matches, equipment, logistics and a full technical crew. The Super Falcons, however, went into the tournament with limited warm-up games, delayed travel arrangements and what Waldrum repeatedly described as inadequate preparation.
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The NFF at the time dismissed the coach’s criticisms as “unprofessional,” with federation officials calling him “a loudmouth” and accusing him of attempting to destabilise the team before the competition. No detailed public accounting of the $960,000 preparation fund has been released since the dispute first surfaced.
The team nonetheless delivered one of Nigeria’s strongest World Cup outings in years, advancing from the group stage unbeaten and pushing England to penalties in the Round of 16.
The NFF has not issued a fresh response to Waldrum’s latest remarks as the video continues to attract renewed scrutiny over the federation’s management of FIFA and CAF funds.
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