Super Falcons Beat Comoros 5–0 to Set Up Morocco Clash in Olympic Qualifiers
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have secured their spot in the third round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics qualifiers with a dominant 7-0 aggregate victory over Comoros, culminating in a 5-0 second-leg win. Goals from Toni Payne, Uchenna Kanu, and Christy Ucheibe propelled Nigeria forward, where they will now face a challenging match against Morocco.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have advanced to the third round of the African qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, completing a 7–0 aggregate victory over Comoros with a 5–0 win in the second leg at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, on Tuesday. Interim coach Augustine Eguavoen’s side entered the match with a 2–0 advantage from the first leg, in which Michelle Alozie and Uchenna Kanu scored.
After a cautious opening, Toni Payne broke the deadlock in the 41st minute after Kanu capitalised on a goalkeeping error and set her up to score. Kanu then headed home from a Folashade Ijamilusi cross after the break, before Payne and Kanu completed their braces and Christy Ucheibe converted a penalty in the 72nd minute to seal the victory.
The result also offered Nigeria encouragement in defence, with the team recording consecutive clean sheets across both legs, while new centre-back pairing Shukurat Oladipo and Ucheibe showed composure against limited Comoros attacking pressure. Alozie contributed at both ends of the pitch across the tie, while Kanu’s three goals over the two matches strengthened her case as a key option in Nigeria’s attack.
Ijamilusi and Blessing Okpe also made important contributions, with Ijamilusi providing assists for Kanu and Okpe helping create further attacking opportunities, including winning the penalty. Payne was among the standout performers in the second leg with two goals, while goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and midfielder Jennifer Echegini also received positive assessments for their performances; however, captain Rasheedat Ajibade’s first-half ankle injury remains a concern ahead of the next round.
Nigeria will now face Morocco in the third round, scheduled for 23 February to 6 March 2027, after the Atlas Lionesses advanced following the Republic of Congo’s withdrawal from the competition. The tie presents a more demanding test for Eguavoen’s side as they continue their bid to secure one of Africa’s two places in the women’s football tournament in Los Angeles 2028.
The Super Falcons can draw confidence from their 3–2 victory over Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, although the upcoming Olympic qualifiers will be a separate contest. Having returned to the Olympic tournament at Paris 2024 after a 16-year absence, Nigeria are pursuing consecutive appearances at the Games.