Nigeria’s Super Falcons have taken another decisive step towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games after sweeping aside Comoros 5-0 in Ikenne, Ogun State, to complete a commanding 7-0 aggregate victory.
Toni Payne and Uchenna Kanu scored twice each before Christy Ucheibe converted a penalty as Nigeria reached the third round of Africa’s Olympic qualifying series. The result sets up a much more demanding two-legged contest against Morocco, scheduled for 23 February to 6 March 2027.
The emphatic scoreline confirmed Nigeria’s superiority across the tie, following a 2-0 victory in the first leg at the same Remo Stars Stadium. Comoros were nominally the home side in that opening match because the island nation did not have an approved venue available for the fixture.
Payne breaks Comoros resistance
Comoros frustrated Nigeria for much of the first half on Tuesday, while the Super Falcons struggled to turn possession and pressure into clear goals. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 41st minute.
Kanu seized on an error by the Comoros goalkeeper and unselfishly squared the ball to Payne, who finished from close range. It was a reward for Nigeria’s persistence and sent the 10-time African champions into the interval with a 1-0 lead.
The match changed sharply after the break. Kanu headed in Folashade Ijamilusi’s cross in the 58th minute to double the advantage. Payne then collected her second goal five minutes later after Blessing Okpe beat two defenders and supplied the opening.
Ijamilusi created another goal in the 66th minute, delivering for Kanu to complete her brace. Okpe’s lively substitute appearance also produced the fifth goal when she was fouled inside the penalty area. Ucheibe converted the resulting spot kick in the 71st minute.
Payne and Kanu therefore finished the evening with two goals apiece, while Nigeria ended the two matches without conceding.
Ajibade injury tempers celebrations
The major concern from an otherwise successful evening was the early departure of captain Rasheedat Ajibade. The forward was forced off after a heavy collision during the first half and was replaced by Ijamilusi.
The Nigeria Football Federation had not disclosed the nature or severity of the injury at the time of writing. Any assessment of Ajibade’s recovery timetable would therefore be premature.
Her availability will matter to both club and country. Ajibade is one of Nigeria’s most experienced attacking players and a leading presence within the squad. The Super Falcons will hope that the incident proves less serious than it initially appeared.
Ijamilusi’s response offered encouragement. Coming into the match unexpectedly, she supplied the deliveries for both of Kanu’s goals and helped Nigeria stretch Comoros during the decisive second-half spell.
Morocco presents a sterner examination
The aggregate victory moves Nigeria into the third round, but the route to Los Angeles remains long. The African qualification format requires the leading teams to negotiate successive home-and-away knockout ties, with only two places available to the continent.
Morocco will present a far more difficult test than Comoros. The Atlas Lionesses have developed into one of Africa’s strongest women’s teams and have become increasingly competitive at major international tournaments. The next tie will also carry recent rivalry between two ambitious national programmes.
Nigeria’s display against Comoros nevertheless showed several useful qualities. The team stayed patient when the opening goal did not arrive quickly, received meaningful contributions from substitutes and found goals from midfield as well as attack.
Interim coach Augustine Eguavoen also oversaw consecutive victories and clean sheets despite player withdrawals before the tie. The next phase will require greater precision, stronger defensive concentration and careful management of the squad’s fitness.
Olympic ambition remains alive
The Super Falcons returned to the Olympic women’s football tournament at Paris 2024 after a 16-year absence. Securing a second consecutive appearance would strengthen the team’s international standing and provide another major platform for Nigerian women’s football.
Comoros arrived at this stage after scoring 30 unanswered goals against Sudan, but Nigeria’s experience and quality proved decisive. The 7-0 aggregate score is convincing, yet the team will know that the margin does not carry into the next round.
Attention will now turn to Ajibade’s condition, the players’ club form and preparations for Morocco. Between now and February, the coaching staff must build on the attacking combinations seen in Ikenne while preparing for a contest likely to offer far less space.
For Nigerian supporters, the immediate verdict is positive. The Super Falcons completed the job professionally, advanced without conceding and kept their Los Angeles ambition firmly alive.
Follow Podium News for verified updates on Rasheedat Ajibade’s fitness and Nigeria’s preparations for the Olympic qualifying tie against Morocco.
