Ex-Falcons Coach Accuses NFF of Misusing $960,000 World Cup Grant
Former coach of Super Falcons, Randy Waldrum, has once again called on Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to account for a $960,000 grant from FIFA that was intended for Nigeria’s 2023 Women’s World Cup preparation.
In a video that recently resurfaced, Waldrum alleged that although FIFA released the funds — supposedly to cover training camps, logistics, friendly matches, travel and a full complement of technical staff, the reality was a far cry from expectations. “FIFA gave NFF $960k for World Cup preparations, paid for 22 technical staffs. Yet, NFF gave me 11. They couldn’t pay flight tickets, no friendlies,” he said.
The coach’s claim revives long-running criticism of the federation’s handling of international grants. According to Waldrum, the shortfall in technical staff deployment and logistical failures undermined Nigeria’s World Cup build-up.
Despite these accusations, the NFF has not issued a fresh, detailed public accounting of how the $960,000 grant was spent. Nor has the federation responded to Waldrum’s latest comments, even as scrutiny over its management of funds from FIFA and the continental football body CAF intensifies.
The controversy adds to broader concerns about financial transparency within Nigerian football administration, issues that have previously drawn attention from the federal legislature.