Olympic Qualifiers: Super Falcons thrash Comoros 5-0, set f Morocco showdown

Nigeria’s Super Falcons thrashed Comoros 5-0 in the second leg of their second-round qualifier for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, on Tuesday.

The result gave Nigeria a 7-0 aggregate lead following their 2-0 victory in Friday’s first leg, putting the 10-time African champions in a commanding position to advance to the next round, where Morocco await.

Toni Payne scored twice, while Uchenna Kanu also found the net twice and Christy Ucheibe converted a penalty as Nigeria turned their first-leg advantage into a comprehensive victory.

Interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen retained the starting XI that began Friday’s encounter, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Payne and Kanu among those named.

Nigeria dominated the opening exchanges but suffered an early setback when Ajibade was forced off following a collision with a Comoros defender in the 23rd minute. Folashade Ijamilusi replaced the captain.

The Super Falcons eventually broke through in the 41st minute when Kanu capitalised on a goalkeeping error before setting up Payne, who finished to give Nigeria a 1-0 lead on the night and extend their aggregate advantage to 3-0.

Nigeria carried that advantage into half-time before increasing the pressure after the restart.

Blessing Okpe replaced Gift Monday at the beginning of the second half, and the substitute quickly made an impact as the Super Falcons added four more goals.

Kanu doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 58th minute, heading home a cross from Ijamilusi. Although the forward thought she had scored again three minutes later, the assistant referee ruled the effort offside.

Payne extended Nigeria’s lead on the night in the 63rd minute after Okpe dribbled past two Comoros defenders before squaring the ball for the midfielder to finish.

Three minutes later, Ijamilusi delivered another cross that Kanu headed into the net to make it 4-0, completing her brace.

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Okpe then won a penalty after being fouled inside the box, allowing Ucheibe to convert from the spot in the 71st minute and take Nigeria’s lead to five goals.

Eguavoen made further changes in the closing stages, bringing on Suliat Abideen and Shakirat Moshood for Jennifer Echegini and Kanu in the 81st minute. Folat Fatimah subsequently replaced Payne in the 87th minute.

Having conquered Comoros in the second round, the Super Falcons now have a tougher task in their hands as they will be battling Morocco’s Lionesses in the third round.

The African qualifying series features five rounds, with only two teams earning places in the women’s football tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Nigeria returned to the Olympics at Paris 2024 after a 16-year absence and are seeking consecutive appearances as they continue their qualifying campaign.