Marvelous David, Interim Head Coach of the Super Falcons, Augustine Eguavoen, has expressed confidence in his team's ability to overcome the withdrawal of key players ahead of their LA 2028 Olympic women's qualifier against Comoros on Friday. Eguavoen dismissed fears that the absence of players like Asisat Oshoala, Ashley Plumptre, and Oluwatosin Demehin would hinder the team's chances. He emphasized that their replacements possess the quality and experience needed to contribute to the team's success.
The Super Falcons have been preparing for the Olympic qualifier with a full house in camp, according to Eguavoen. The team had 14 players initially, but Captain Rasheedat Ajibade and six additional members joined, increasing the number of players in camp to 21. The team has been training at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, and Eguavoen is optimistic about their chances of winning the double-header fixtures against Comoros.
The Super Falcons received a bye in the first round of the Olympic qualifier, while Comoros secured their place in the second round by thrashing Sudan 30-0 on aggregate. Nigeria will host Comoros for the first leg on Friday, October 9, before the return encounter on Tuesday, October 13. Both matches will take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, as Comoros lacks a CAF-approved facility for international matches.
The Olympic qualification campaign comes at a crucial time for the Falcons, following a disappointing 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations outing and their failure to secure a place at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. Eguavoen's team will aim to book another place at the Games in Los Angeles in 2028, after ending a 16-year wait to return to the women's Olympic football tournament at Paris 2024.
Several players are expected to join the team as preparations for the opening encounter intensify. Goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Comfort Erhabor, as well as Gift Monday, Joy Omewa, and Uchenna Kanu, were expected to link up with the squad. The team has been stepping up their preparations, with the arrival of new players boosting their morale.
Eguavoen's confidence in his team's ability to overcome the challenges ahead is a significant boost to their Olympic qualifier chances. The Super Falcons will need to perform well against Comoros to keep their hopes of qualifying for the LA 2028 Olympics alive. The team's performance in the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining their fate in the Olympic qualifier.
The Super Falcons' Olympic qualifier against Comoros is a crucial match for the team, and Eguavoen's team will need to be at their best to secure a positive result. The team's ability to adapt to the absence of key players and still perform well will be a testament to their strength and resilience.
Key points
- Super Falcons coach Augustine Eguavoen is confident in his team's ability to overcome key player withdrawals ahead of their Olympic qualifier against Comoros.
- The Super Falcons will host Comoros for the first leg of their Olympic qualifier on Friday, October 9, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.
- The team's performance in the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining their fate in the Olympic qualifier and their hopes of qualifying for the LA 2028 Olympics.
