Finnish-Nigerian Roosa Ariyo defends Nigeria’s head coach Randy Waldrum, who has fallen out with the country’s sports federation: “There is corruption in the Nigerian Football Federation”.
Juuso Koskinen,
Hinn Hirvonen
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The Nigerian national team, which dazzled in the World Cup, is well known Pink for Ariyo.
Finnish-Nigerian striker Ariyo participated in the Nigerian national team camp in the United States in the summer of 2021. In the tour matches against the USA, Portugal and Jamaica, Ariyo became familiar with the Nigerian national team’s playing style, coach and star players.
The games in Nigeria have gone well. The West Africans occupy the shared top spot in Group B with four points with reigning Olympic champion Canada.
– The success is not surprising. Nigeria has a really good team. As long as they play together, then only the sky is the limit. Success does not usually come from mere individuals, says Ariyo, who lives in Belgium and represents Club Brugge’s women’s team YLA, via video call.
The further places in the group will be decided in the matches starting at 1 pm on Monday, which will be followed moment by moment in the live tracking found behind this link.
There is also individual brilliance in the Nigerian national team. The team’s biggest star is the Barcelona tactician Asisat Oshoalawho was voted Africa’s best female player and best young female player in 2014.
– Oshoala is without a doubt a role model for everyone. He is humble, works hard and supports everyone around him, says Ariyo.
Ariyo also places Atlético Madrid among the team’s most important players Rasheedat Ajibaden and the goalkeeper of Paris FC Chiamaka Nnadoziewho denied Nigeria a vital point in the opening match against Canada by stopping the Canadian skipper by Christine Sinclair penalty kick.
The joy of playing shines despite the difficulties behind the scenes
The Nigerian team has been featured in the games because of its positive charge. Before going to the field, the players danced and sang together in the locker room corridor.
– It’s a nice tradition and at the same time a wonderful mood lifter. Dance and song are part of African culture, South Africa has also done it in the Games, says Ariyo.
Before the games, Nigeria was hit by nasty turbulence when the federation refused to pay the salaries of the national team. In addition, Nigeria had to cancel its preparatory camp for the tournament and the requirements of the International Football Association Fifa were not taken into account in the travel arrangements.
The head coach Randy Waldrum sided with the players to criticize the Nigerian federation and in retaliation he was threatened with sacking. Ariyo got to know Waldrum two years ago, when he had just started at the helm of Nigeria.
– There is corruption in the Nigerian Football Association, as revealed in the Fifa documentary. Waldrum is a fair and honest guy, I have no doubts that his claims are true, Ariyo says.
Along with the Nigerian national team, Waldrum coaches at the University of Pittsburgh in the United States.
– His well-organized way of playing has caught on from his university days in the United States. Back then, the system was 4-3-3, but it has also developed over the past two years.
On Monday, Nigeria face Ireland, who still have no points. By overturning the group jumbo, Nigeria would be very close to securing the group win thanks to a better goal difference. At the same time, Canada will face host country Australia.
– It’s hard to say who will take the World Cup gold, the games have been mixed and the top countries have had difficulties. I don’t think Nigeria will win the world championship, Ariyo laughs.
Ariyo has also played one match in the Finnish youth national team. An invitation to Helmari would be nice.
– Yes, I would be interested in representing Finland in the future. First you have to focus on everyday life and games. Let’s see how it goes, Ariyo says.
Nigeria will face Ireland in their last match of the group stage on Monday at 1 p.m. The broadcast starts on TV2 and Areena at 12:30 p.m.