The Super Falcons of Nigeria have begun preparations for their Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualifying campaign with 14 players in camp in Ikenne. The team, led by interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen, is set to face Comoros in a two-legged second-round qualifying tie. However, the team has been hit by withdrawals of key players due to injuries, personal requests, and other commitments. Eguavoen had initially invited 28 players for the tie, but several players have pulled out or remain unavailable.
Among the unavailable players is defender Ashley Plumptre, who has asked to be excused due to a sprain and ligament injury. Plumptre had only recently returned to the national team after missing the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations through injury. Benfica duo Oluwatosin Demehin and Flourish Sabastine are also reportedly unable to join the squad due to issues relating to their residence permits. Five-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala has also requested to be excused from the assignment.
In response to the withdrawals, Eguavoen has called up Belarus-based former Falconets forward Blessing Okpe to reinforce the squad. The 14 players currently in camp include goalkeepers Christiana Uzoma, defenders Farida Abdulwahab, Tumininu Adeshina, Valentina Uroko, Glory Edet, Shukurat Oladipo, and Glory Ogbonna, midfielders Oluchi Omenazu, Joy Igbokwe, Fatimoh Solaty, and Suliat Abideen, and forwards Shakirat Moshood, Blessing Nkor, and Sandra John.
More players are expected to join the team during the week, including senior players who form the core of the Super Falcons. Goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Comfort Erhabor are expected, alongside defender Michelle Alozie and midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, and Jennifer Echegini. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Gift Monday, Joy Omewa, Janet Akekoromowei, and Uchenna Kanu are also among the players expected to join the squad.
The delayed arrival of several senior players means Eguavoen has started preparations with a considerably reduced group, giving the coaching crew an opportunity to work with some of the younger players while awaiting the arrival of the established stars. The changes to the squad have also affected some of the younger players initially invited for the Olympic assignment. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Favour Nkwocha have been released back to the Flamingos to join Nigeria’s U17 women’s team ahead of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in Morocco.
Nigeria will face Comoros in a two-legged second-round qualifying tie, with both matches scheduled to take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo. The first leg is scheduled for Friday, October 9, while the return leg will be played on Tuesday, October 13. Although Comoros is officially the host of the first leg, both matches are being played in Nigeria because the island nation does not have a stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football for the fixture.
The Olympic qualification campaign represents another opportunity for the Super Falcons to re-establish themselves on the global stage following their return to the Games at Paris 2024. Nigeria had missed three consecutive Olympic women’s football tournaments before qualifying for Paris, bringing an end to a 16-year absence from the competition. The Falcons will be looking to put their disappointing 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign behind them as they begin the long road to Los Angeles.
Key points
- Key players withdrawn due to injury, personal requests, and other commitments
- Super Falcons face Comoros in two-legged second-round qualifying tie
- Team begins preparations with 14 players in camp in Ikenne
