Super Falcons Target Comoros Win To Set Up Morocco Olympic Qualifier

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will seek to secure passage to the third round of the African qualifying series for the women’s football tournament at the 2028 Olympic Games when they face Comoros in the return leg of their second-round tie on Tuesday.

The 10-time African champions go into the encounter with a 2-0 advantage following Friday’s first-leg victory at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, where defender Michelle Alozie and forward Uchenna Kanu scored in the second half.

Victory or a draw would guarantee Nigeria’s progression, while a defeat by a single goal would also be enough to see them through on aggregate.

The Super Falcons are pursuing a second consecutive Olympic appearance after returning to the Games at Paris 2024, ending a 16-year absence from the women’s football tournament.

The return fixture will also take place at the Remo Stars Stadium because Comoros do not have a venue approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for international matches, giving Nigeria home advantage in both legs.
With Morocco awaiting the winners in the third round, interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen and his technical crew could use Tuesday’s encounter to assess other options within the squad while maintaining the team’s winning momentum.

In Friday’s first leg, Eguavoen deployed Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal, with Glory Ogbonna and Alozie operating as wing-backs and Christy Ucheibe partnering Shukurat Oladipo in central defence.

Debutant Joy Igbokwe featured in midfield alongside Toni Payne and Jennifer Echegini, while captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Gift Monday and Kanu led the attack.

However, the technical crew could make changes to the starting line-up for the return fixture, with several players available to stake their claims.

Young goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma could be considered for an opportunity, while Farida Abdulwahab and Tumininu Adeshina are among the defensive options available to the coaching staff.

Suliat Abideen also strengthened her case for a starting role after an impressive performance following her introduction in the second half of Friday’s match.

In attack, former Nigeria Under-17 captain Shakirat Moshood and Folashade Ijamilusi are available as alternatives, alongside Belarus-based forwards Blessing Nkor and Blessing Okpe. Sweden-based Joy Omewa is another option as the Falcons seek to maintain their attacking threat.

Despite their first-leg advantage, Nigeria will be wary of complacency, with the technical crew expected to demand another disciplined performance to complete the job against the Indian Ocean islanders.

Progression would set up a third-round encounter against Morocco in March 2027 as the Falcons continue their pursuit of a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The African qualifying series comprises five rounds, with the continent’s representatives seeking to secure places at the women’s football tournament in Los Angeles.