'Chief' Randy Waldrum has Super Falcons soaring

From "Mr Blabbermouth" to a Nigerian chief-in-waiting.

Things have changed for the Super Falcon's Texas-born coach Randy Waldrum at the Women's World Cup.

Under his watch the team has defied an ongoing pay dispute and nightmare draw to reach the round of 16 undefeated.

They'll play England in Brisbane on Monday for a spot in the final eight.

A mighty 3-2 upset of hosts Australia was shoe-horned between scoreless draws against Ireland and Olympic champions Canada to win over the country's travelling press pack, sort of.

After questioning the side's tactics in a 0-0 draw with Ireland, one journalist followed with the suggestion the country was willing to crown Waldrum a chief if they can topple England.

Waldrum turned to his translator.

"You are going to have to help me," the wide-smiling mentor said, before turning back to the press pack.

"You are going to call me chief?"

"Crown you chief," the journalist corrected.

"Crown me chief," Waldrum repeated.

"Okay. That's a lot better than I've been called before this tournament."

He can say that again.

The charismatic coach drew the ire of his employer when he demanded accountability from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) regarding FIFA payments and raised concerns about a staff shortage.

An NFF official subsequently labelled him an "incompetent loudmouth" and "Mr Blabbermouth Waldrum" and there are reports the coach, hired in 2021, won't remain in the job regardless of how far the team progresses.

Meanwhile FIFA announced the governing body will pay players their prizemoney directly for the first time.

"There were a lot of words said early," Waldrum said.

"I spoke what I spoke and got it out there.

"Once we got here we just focused on our football.

"I hope we've proved some people that didn't believe in us wrong.

"The credit goes to these young women for believing in what I am trying to do."

With just a 15-day Gold Coast camp to prepare his side, the University of Pittsburgh women's coach thinks they'll only keep improving.

"Why not play England. We played the Olympic gold medallists (Canada, and drew).

"We played Australia, the host nation (and won) so bring on the European champions.

"Why not? It seems like it is fitting.

"We'll come up with a plan. Don't count us out against England. We'll be prepared."