2028 Olympics qualifiers: Super Falcons sweep past Comoros to set up Morocco clash

Nigeria’s Super Falcons recorded a commanding 5-0 win against Comoros in Ikenne on Tuesday to secure a 7-0 aggregate win and book their place in the next round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers, where they will face Morocco.

The nine-time African champions followed up their 2-0 first-leg victory with another dominant performance at Remo Stars Stadium, underlining their attacking strength as they pursue qualification for a second consecutive Olympic Games.

Interim coach Augustine Eguavoen’s side controlled proceedings from the opening exchanges, with Gift Monday coming close to breaking the deadlock in the ninth minute after racing through on goal, only to fail to round the Comoros goalkeeper.

Nigeria suffered an early setback when captain Rasheedat Ajibade was forced off in the 28th minute following a heavy collision. Folashade Ijamilusi came on as her replacement.

The breakthrough arrived in the 41st minute when Uchenna Kanu capitalised on a goalkeeping error, intercepting the ball before setting up Toni Payne to score from close range.

Eguavoen introduced Blessing Okpe for Monday at half-time, and the substitution helped Nigeria increase the pressure after the restart.

In the 58th minute, Ijamilusi delivered an accurate cross into the penalty area for Kanu to head home Nigeria’s second goal of the evening. Kanu thought she had scored again three minutes later, but her effort was ruled out for offside.

The Super Falcons added a third in the 63rd minute when Okpe beat two defenders on a driving run down the flank before cutting the ball back for Payne to complete her brace.

Three minutes later, Ijamilusi registered another assist, delivering a cross that Kanu converted with a header to complete her hat-trick across the two legs of the tie.

Nigeria’s fifth goal arrived in the 71st minute after Okpe was brought down inside the penalty area. Christy Ucheibe converted the resulting spot-kick to complete the emphatic victory.

The technical crew made further changes late in the match, with Jennifer Echegini and Kanu replaced by Suliat Abideen and Shakirat Moshood in the 81st minute. Fatimah Soliat came on for Payne in the 87th minute.

The aggregate victory sends Nigeria into the next round, where they will face Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses in a more demanding test of their Olympic ambitions.

The Super Falcons are seeking to build on their return to the Olympics at Paris 2024, their first appearance at the Games since Beijing 2008. Overcoming Morocco would move them closer to securing another place at the Los Angeles 2028 tournament.