The last set of international friendlies for the Super Falcons has given more than just exposure to the team.
The three-nation Invitational in the USA(June 2021) and double-header friendly against Canada gave the coaching crew accidental new players.
The opportunity is a welcome development for super falcons coach Randy Waldrum, who enjoys the benefits.
“We needed to find some players that could come directly into Canada without a visa.”
It’s the same thing that happened last summer when we arrived in the US with 13 players to play three matches, and I found Michelle Alozie playing in the reserve team with Dash, along with Esther (who is not here, by the way, another key player for us upfront). They were both playing as reserve pro players in Houston. Because they were there in the city and I saw them, I said, bring them out, let’s see them in training and put them in. Now they found their way into our program.”
The friendly game against Canada helped the coaching crew to bring in another player after visa issues.
Top players like Asisat Oshoala(Injury), Desire Oparanozie, and others did not make the squad.
Super Falcons could only train for one hour and had an inadequate number of players against the Olympic champions.
With Injuries in the game, Randy had no choice but to throw in Onyinye Echegini, and she left an impression.
“It’s the same thing with Onyi. I knew we were not going to arrive with a complete squad. Onyi is a player that is playing in the US college system. I had seen her a few years ago. She is from England. I had seen her playing for Arsenal when I was recruiting for the college team, so I remember her. When I realized we weren’t going to get visas for players that needed visas. We need to find players who could come directly into Canada without a visa.”
“We just called her up. She explains both parents are Nigerians. You know what, get on the plane, and let’s bring you in.”
Despite playing for the first time, Onyinye showed a glimpse of a player with a future with the team.
After her introduction, she had a chance, which she executed well, only to be halted by the Canadian goalkeeper.
“It’s literarily her first time with the team. We saw her yesterday in our one hour practice. We didn’t do much other than a walkthrough, and then today, you know what, get in the field, let’s see you play. It’s a great story for her, but it’s an opportunity for us to expand our player pool as well, and I am very anxious to see what she can do.”
Also, Nigeria invited a new player into the Super Falcons’ fold as far back as the Turkey Invitational.
Meanwhile, the trend will continue as the super falcons squad pool expands.