The Super Falcons, Nigeria's senior women's national football team, began 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, where the teams will clash on Friday and Tuesday. The Falcons are determined to qualify for the Olympics after a 16-year absence, with their sights set on Los Angeles in 2028.
Interim Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has called up a mix of experienced and young players for the training. Defender Ashley Plumptre has been excused due to an injury, while SL Benfica duo Oluwatosin Demehin and Flourish Sabastine will not be joining the team due to resident permit issues. Asisat Oshoala, a five-time Africa Player of the Year, has also pleaded to be excused, leading to the call-up of Belarus-based forward Blessing Okpe.
The training session included goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, defenders Farida Abdulwahab, Tumininu Adeshina, and Valentina Uroko, among others. The team also welcomed midfielders Oluchi Omenazu, Joy Igbokwe, and Fatimoh Solaty, as well as forwards Shakirat Moshood, Blessing Nkor, and Sandra John. The Super Falcons will be looking to build on their experience from the recently concluded WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup competition.
Eguavoen has released Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Favour Nkwocha back to the U17 women's team, Flamingos, who will be flying out to Morocco for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup finals. The Flamingos will be competing without some of their key players, who have been called up to the Super Falcons. The team is expected to face stiff competition from Comoros, who will be looking to cause an upset.
A total of 11 players are expected to join the team, including defender Michelle Alozie, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade. Forwards Gift Monday, Joy Omewa, Janet Akekoromowei, and Uchenna Kanu are also expected to report to camp. The Super Falcons will be looking to make a strong impression in the qualifying match.
The Super Falcons have a tough road ahead of them, but they are determined to qualify for the Olympics. With a mix of experienced and young players, the team is expected to put up a good fight against Comoros. The team's performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
The return leg of the qualifying match will take place on Tuesday at the same Remo Stars Stadium. The Super Falcons will be looking to secure a win and qualify for the next round of the tournament. The team's coach, Augustine Eguavoen, will be under pressure to deliver a positive result.
Key points
- The Super Falcons have commenced training for their 2028 Olympics Women's Football Tournament qualifying match against Comoros.
- A total of 14 players trained on Monday evening, with 11 more players expected to join the team.
- The team will face Comoros in a two-legged qualifying match, with the return leg taking place on Tuesday.
