We won't be intimidated: Super Falcons coach talks tough ahead of England clash

Coach of the Nigeria Super Falcons, Randy Waldrum is in an optimistic mood ahead of the highly anticipated clash against England in the FIFAWWC.

The Super Falcons go head-to-head with their counterparts from England in the FIFAWWC round of 16 on Monday.

Both teams will lock horns for a place in the quarterfinals at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.

Despite having an outside chance of making it beyond the group stage, with Australia and Canada as favourites, Nigeria beat the odds to come out of Group B unscathed.

Falcons started on a positive note following a hard-fought goalless affair against Olympics champions Canada in their opening game.

In their second game against co-hosts, Australia, the super Falcons came from behind to shock the Matildas 3-2 with Asisat Oshoala netting the historic winner.

The ticket to the knockout stage was sealed with another goalless draw, this time against debutantes, the Republic of Ireland, in the final game of the group stage.

Nigeria joined South Africa and Morocco to make history as the first time three nations from the continent made it beyond the group stage.

With Nigeria’s progress secured, the Super Falcons will face European champions England who qualified with a 100 per cent record.

Ahead of the encounter, Falcons’ coach Waldrum has stated that while the ladies have made it beyond the group stage, the work is not done yet.

“Now we made it out of the group stage, we don’t want our work to be done,” Waldrum stated according to an interview with popular photographer Modo on YouTube.

“We want to continue and I think the match against England is certainly going to be another challenge.”

Coach Waldrum admitted that the European champions will be a challenge but was quick to add that his Falcons are battled-ready and won’t be intimated having faced Olympic champions Canada and home team, Australia.

“I think the players (Super Falcons) are up to it,” he added.

“We are playing the European champions now, they are champions for a reason - they have quite a good team, we know and we respect that.”

“But I think the players understand that we have played the Olympic gold medallists, played Australia, two top 10 teams in the world and I don’t think they will be intimidated by the moment at all and now, it’s time to go out and perform.”