Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum has expressed his optimism that midfielder Deborah Abiodun would overcome any injury trouble and be available for selection in Nigeria’s next match on Tuesday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Abiodun shone like a million stars and drew cheers from fans severally as Nigeria claimed a narrow 1-0 win over South Africa in the first leg of their Olymoic Games qualifier on Friday.
The Pittsburgh Panthers midfielder played a crucial role shielding the Super Falcons’ defence, ensuring that the former champions kept a first clean sheet since 2018 against the Banyana Banyana.
However, Abiodun did not feature for the full ninety minutes as she was replaced midway through the second half, after sustaining an injury.
Nigeria are scheduled to face the South Africans again on Tuesday in the return fixture, with the Super Falcons needing to avoid a defeat to book their spot at Paris 2024.
Abiodun could be crucial to any plans Waldrum and his coaching staff have of thwarting the Banyana Banyana.
The American gaffer has brushed away any fears of injury keeping Abiodun out of that game, despite admitting the medical staff needs to give the 20-year-old a medical green light for her to participate.
“I’ve not met her (Abiodun) after the match to see how she is doing but I did see her walking around taking photos with the fans,” Waldrum told reporters, as monitored by Soccernet.ng.
“So, I think she’s going to be okay.
“She is a really very good player for us, very key for us. So we’ll certainly monitor her over the next few days.”
The Super Falcons have not qualified for the Olympics since 2008 but another victory or at least a draw in Pretoria on Tuesday would be enough to make it to Paris 2024.