Super Falcons crush Comoros 5-0, prepare for Morocco clash

Nigeria’s Super Falcons smashed Comoros 5-0 in the second leg of their second-round qualifier for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The match took place at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, on Tuesday.

With this win, Nigeria leads 7-0 on aggregate after winning the first leg 2-0 on Friday. The 10-time African champions are now in a strong position to move on to the next round, where they will face Morocco.

Toni Payne scored two goals, while Uchenna Kanu also netted twice. Christy Ucheibe added one more from a penalty kick as Nigeria turned their first-leg lead into a solid victory.

Interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen kept the same starting lineup from Friday’s match. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Payne, and Kanu were all in the team.

Nigeria started strong but faced an early challenge when Ajibade left the game after a clash with a Comoros defender in the 23rd minute. Folashade Ijamilusi came on to replace her.

The Super Falcons broke through in the 41st minute. Kanu took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake and assisted Payne, who scored to give Nigeria a 1-0 lead and a 3-0 aggregate advantage.

Nigeria held onto that lead until halftime and increased their pressure in the second half.

Blessing Okpe came on for Gift Monday at the start of the second half. The substitute made an immediate impact as the Super Falcons scored four more goals.

Kanu scored again in the 58th minute, heading in a cross from Ijamilusi. She thought she scored again three minutes later, but the goal was called offside by the assistant referee.

Payne added another goal for Nigeria in the 63rd minute after Okpe dribbled past two defenders and set her up perfectly.

Just three minutes later, Ijamilusi crossed again, and Kanu headed it in to make it 4-0, completing her brace.

Okpe won a penalty after being fouled inside the box. Ucheibe took the penalty and scored in the 71st minute, making Nigeria’s lead five goals.

Eguavoen made more substitutions in the final minutes, bringing in Suliat Abideen and Shakirat Moshood for Jennifer Echegini and Kanu in the 81st minute. Folat Fatimah replaced Payne in the 87th minute.

After defeating Comoros, the Super Falcons now face a bigger challenge against Morocco’s Lionesses in the third round.

The African qualifying series has five rounds, with only two teams qualifying for the women’s football tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Nigeria made a return to the Olympics at Paris 2024 after missing out for 16 years and aims for back-to-back appearances as they continue their qualifying journey.