Randy Waldrum, the head coach of the Super Falcons, has revealed the motivational tale behind his star player's transfer to the Pittsburgh Panthers women's football club.
At the 2022 FIFA U20 Women's World Cup, the gifted young player Deborah Abiodun was a member of the Falconets squad.
The Falconets made a big impression by winning Group C with victories over France, Canada, and South Korea, although Nigeria was eliminated by the Netherlands in the preliminary round.
Head coach of the Super Falcons Waldrum took notice of Abiodun's impressive midfield play because of her cerebral and dynamic performances.
![CAF Award nominee Deborah Abiodun dedicates Player of the Match to Super Falcons teammates](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/01122023/d7ed6a56-763f-4e52-8752-9aed0f9c599b.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
06:12 - 01.12.2023
CAF Award nominee Deborah Abiodun dedicates Player of the Match to Super Falcons teammates
Nigeria Super Falcons' Deborah Abiodun showed against Cape Verde why she's a nominee for the CAF Young Player of the Year award.
![Best Ever - Deborah Abiodun's midfield show for Super Falcons sparks praise from Nigerians](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/01122023/b0e58eaa-4f09-435d-81cb-e6f6d71d4e07.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
04:48 - 01.12.2023
Best Ever - Deborah Abiodun's midfield show for Super Falcons sparks praise from Nigerians
Nigeria Super Falcons are closer to another WAFCON after a big performance and win against Cape Verde in the first leg.
Waldrum on Abiodun
Abiodun's relocation to the United States and her scholarship were made possible by Waldrum, who also coaches the women's football team at the University of Pittsburgh.
The University of Pittsburgh women's football programme extended a full scholarship offer to Abiodun in 2023.
![Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum. (Photo Credit: Imago)](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/23082023/76584187-8f23-4a04-8ac7-09d9db70741c.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
As Nigeria prepared for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Waldrum told Channel 11 via Yahoo Sports about this meeting.
Waldrum said, “Deb came to me and said, ‘Will you take me to your school? I want to go to college, and I want to get an education.”
![Deborah Abiodun of the Super Falcons | Credit: Instagram/DeborahAbiodun](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/27022024/d9199697-651a-412d-801d-1e9e3359640f.jpeg?operations=fit(480:))
Abiodun made her debut with the Pitt Panthers after signing for the USA base club, scoring six goals in 22 games.
In August, Abiodun will compete in her debut Olympics in the hopes of winning gold for Nigeria and overcoming her World Cup disappointment.