Players only remember their first goal for their country - Waldrum on Echegini’s maiden Super Falcons goal
Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum has expressed delight with midfielder Jennifer Echegini following her first international goal in the 3-0 victory over New Zealand on Tuesday, but says the team’s performance was only worthy of a ‘B’ grade.
Echegini made her Falcons debut under Waldrum last year against Canada and finally broke her duck for the nine-time African champions on her seventh cap with the second goal in the 3-0 drubbing of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosts.
Speaking after the match, Randy declared that the entire sequence leading to Echegini’s maiden goal for Nigeria would make the strike one of the most memorable of her career.
“The exciting thing about that is anytime a player gets to play for their country and they get their first goal, it’s the one they always remember,” Randy said of the 22-year-old Florida State University midfielder.
“The exciting thing about that is anytime a player gets to play for their country and they get their first goal, it’s the one they always remember,” Randy said of the 22-year-old Florida State University midfielder.
“And the good thing about that is the build up to that goal was absolutely brilliant and the interplay, the cross, and the finish was world class and so she will remember that goal for a long time,” he declared.
Waldrum also noted Echegini’s increasing impact on the women’s national team.
“She’s really come on in the last year since we first brought her into camp against Canada”, he said, “and she just continues to get better and better, so I was really happy for her that she finally found the net.”
Despite seeing his side score three goals and keep a clean sheet as they won a third straight game, Waldrum declared himself not entirely satisfied with the Falcons’ showing, saying their performance was only worthy of a ‘B’ grade.
“Well, I think it’s probably still a B,” said Waldrum of his side’s showing against New Zealand.
“We got the three goals and we got the clean sheet, so, I guess maybe I’m a little harsh with that grade, but there are still so many things we can improve on and do better, and I think we will get there.
“I think the good thing is this last two camps, we’ve been building, and it’s gotten better and better. This is what we needed, we need to camp before the World Cup,” he added.
-Sportville
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