Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum leads the shortlist of nominees selected for the best coach of the year award in the women’s category of the 2023 CAF Awards released by the organisers on Tuesday.
The 67-year-old American led Nigeria to a fourth-place finish at the last edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in 2022, where they secured a ticket to this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand for a record eighth time.
At the Mundial in Oceania, Waldrum led Nigeria to a second-place finish in Group B with an unbeaten record, including a stunning 3-2 comeback win over co-hosts Australia.
Nigeria progressed to the knockout rounds of the competition and faced the Lionesses of England in the round of 16, where they lost on penalties after 120 minutes of action.
Waldrum’s team played four games at the Women’s World Cup and kept three clean sheets while playing against four opponents that were higher ranked than them on the FIFA rankings.
???? of the very best. ????
Your nominees for Coach of the Year (WOMEN) award.#CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/0gw666lqWx
— CAF (@CAF_Online) November 14, 2023
The Super Falcons head coach has been shortlisted alongside some of the best-performing managers in the women’s game on the continent, including legendary boss of the Banyana Banyana of South Africa Desiree Ellis and Moroccan women’s head coach Reynald Pedros.
Others on the list include Nana Joe Adarkwa (Ampem Darkoa), Lovemore Fazili (Malawi), Mehdi El Qaichouri (SC Casablanca), Mohamed Amine Alioua (AS FAR), Mame Moussa Cisse (Senegal), Jerry Tshabalala (Mamelodi Sundowns), and Esther Chabruma (JKT Queens).
The winner of the category will be announced at the awards ceremony on December 11 in Marrakech, Morocco.
