Super Falcons Thrash Comoros 5-0, advance to Third Round of Olympic qualifiers

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have advanced to the third round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers after recording a commanding 5-0 victory over Comoros at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, on Tuesday.

The victory gave Nigeria a 7-0 aggregate triumph over their opponents, following their 2-0 win in the first leg, and kept their hopes of returning to the Olympic Games alive.

Inter Milan forward Toni Payne and Cruz Azul striker Uchenna Kanu scored twice each, while Christy Ucheibe converted a penalty as the Super Falcons produced a dominant second-half display.

Payne opened the scoring in the 41st minute after Kanu capitalised on an error by the Comoros goalkeeper before squaring the ball for her teammate to finish.

Nigeria went into the break with a 1-0 lead but suffered a setback when captain Rasheedat Ajibade sustained an ankle injury. The midfielder was stretchered off in tears and replaced by Folashade Ijamilusi.

Kanu doubled Nigeria’s advantage in the 58th minute, heading home a cross from Ijamilusi.

Five minutes later, substitute Blessing Okpe dribbled past two Comoros defenders before setting up Payne, who completed her brace to make it 3-0.

Ijamilusi provided another assist in the 66th minute, delivering a cross that Kanu headed into the net for her second goal of the match.

Nigeria extended their lead in the 71st minute after Okpe was fouled inside the penalty area. Ucheibe stepped forward and calmly converted the spot kick to make it 5-0.

Okpe, who came on at half-time for Gift Monday, made a significant impact with an assist and the attacking run that resulted in Nigeria’s penalty.

The Super Falcons also maintained clean sheets in both legs, underlining their defensive solidity as they progressed comfortably to the next stage of the qualifying campaign.

The result provided an emphatic outcome for the Nigerian side under interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, although Ajibade’s injury will be a concern as the team prepares for its next assignment.

Nigeria will face Morocco in the third round of the Olympic qualifiers, scheduled for March 2027.

The Super Falcons will need to overcome the North African side over two legs to move closer to securing a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

A successful qualifying campaign would give Nigeria’s women’s national team an opportunity to return to the Olympics for the fifth time.

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