The Super Falcons of Nigeria will face Comoros in a two-leg affair for a place in the third round of the five-round African qualifying series for the 2028 Olympics Women's Football Tournament. The matches will be hosted at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo, as Comoros lack a standard football pitch in their country. The first leg is scheduled for October 9, while the second leg will take place on October 13. A win over Comoros on aggregate will take the 10-time African champions to the third round, which will be resolved in March 2027.
Interim Head Coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has expressed confidence in the team's ability to overcome the challenges posed by the withdrawals of several key players. Asisat Oshoala, Ashley Plumptre, and Oluwatosin Demehin are among the players who have withdrawn from the team. However, Eguavoen believes that their replacements have the quality and experience to contribute meaningfully to the team's success against Comoros. The team has a full house now, and their focus is on presenting a strong and competitive squad for the two matches.
The Super Falcons will be led by Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who will spearhead the team's charge in the qualifying fixture. The team has a strong squad, with players like goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defenders Farida Abdulwahab and Sandra John, and midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Toni Payne. The forwards include Shakirat Moshood, Blessing Nkor, and Gift Monday, among others. The team is expected to be boosted by the arrival of Belarus-based forward Blessing Okpe, who is still expected to join the team in their Ijebu-Ode camp.
The Super Falcons are seeking a second consecutive appearance at the Women's Football Tournament of the Olympics, following their participation in the tournament in Paris 2024. Eguavoen's team will face a tough challenge in the qualifying fixture, but the coach is confident that they have what it takes to overcome Comoros and progress to the next round. The team has been preparing well for the matches, and Eguavoen believes that they are ready for the challenge.
The squad list for the Super Falcons includes goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie, Comfort Erhabor, and Christiana Uzoma. The defenders are Farida Abdulwahab, Sandra John, Tumininu Adeshina, Valentina Uroko, Glory Edet, Shukurat Oladipo, and Glory Ogbonna. The midfielders include Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Favour Omenazu, Joy Igbokwe, Jennifer Echegini, Fatimoh Solaty, and Suliat Abideen. The forwards are Rasheedat Ajibade, Shakirat Moshood, Blessing Nkor, Sandra John, Folashade Ijamilusi, Janet Akekoromowei, Uchenna Kanu, Gift Monday, and Joy Omewa.
The Super Falcons have a tough road ahead, but Eguavoen is confident that they can overcome the challenges and achieve their goal. The team has a strong squad, and the coach believes that they have what it takes to succeed. The matches against Comoros will be a test of the team's strength and determination, but Eguavoen is optimistic about their chances.
The winner of the two-leg fixture between Nigeria and Comoros will progress to the third round of the African qualifying series, where they will face another opponent in March 2027. The Super Falcons are seeking to make a strong impression in the qualifying series and ultimately secure a spot in the 2028 Olympics Women's Football Tournament.
Key points
- The Super Falcons will face Comoros in a two-leg affair for a place in the third round of the African qualifying series for the 2028 Olympics Women's Football Tournament.
- Interim Head Coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has expressed confidence in the team's ability to overcome the challenges posed by the withdrawals of several key players.
- The Super Falcons are seeking a second consecutive appearance at the Women's Football Tournament of the Olympics, following their participation in the tournament in Paris 2024.
