The Super Falcons, Nigeria's senior women's national team, commenced preparations for their 2028 Olympics Women's Football Tournament qualifying match against Comoros on Monday evening. A total of 14 players trained at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, where the team will also host the return match on Tuesday. The Falcons are seeking to qualify for the Women's Olympic Football Tournament for the second time in a row, after their 16-year absence ended two years ago.
Interim Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has made some adjustments to the team, releasing Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Favour Nkwocha back to the U17 women's team, Flamingos. The Flamingos will participate in the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup finals in Morocco, starting on Wednesday. Eguavoen also excused defender Ashley Plumptre due to an injury and could not secure the services of SL Benfica duo Oluwatosin Demehin and Flourish Sabastine due to resident permit issues.
The team is also missing five-time Africa Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, who pleaded to be excused. Eguavoen has called up Belarus-based former U20 team forward Blessing Okpe to bolster the squad. The current team in camp includes goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, defenders Farida Abdulwahab and Tumininu Adeshina, midfielders Oluchi Omenazu and Joy Igbokwe, and forwards Shakirat Moshood and Sandra John.
A total of 11 more players are expected to join the team, including defender Michelle Alozie, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Gift Monday. Goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Comfort Erhabor, midfielder Toni Payne, and forwards Joy Omewa and Janet Akekoromowei are also expected to report to camp.
The Super Falcons will face Comoros in a two-legged qualifying match, with the first leg scheduled for Friday and the return match on Tuesday. The team is determined to qualify for the Women's Olympic Football Tournament, which will take place in Los Angeles in the summer of 2028.
The team's preparation is crucial, given the competitive nature of the qualifying matches. The Super Falcons have a rich history in African football, having won the African Women's Championship 10 times. However, the team has faced challenges in recent years, including a lack of preparation time and key player absences.
Despite the challenges, the Super Falcons remain focused on achieving their goal. With a mix of experienced and young players, the team is expected to put up a strong performance against Comoros. The team's training in Ikenne will provide an opportunity for the players to gel and fine-tune their strategy ahead of the crucial qualifying matches.
Key points
- The Super Falcons have commenced training in Ikenne for their 2028 Olympics Women's Football Tournament qualifying match against Comoros.
- Interim Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has made adjustments to the team, releasing some players back to the U17 women's team and excusing others due to injury or other issues.
- The team will face Comoros in a two-legged qualifying match, with the first leg scheduled for Friday and the return match on Tuesday.
