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Nigeria’s Super Falcons booked a place in the third round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers after thrashing Comoros 5-0 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, yesterday to complete a 7-0 aggregate victory.
Inter Milan forward Toni Payne and Cruz Azul striker Uchenna Kanu scored twice each, while Christy Ucheibe converted a penalty as Nigeria produced a dominant second-half performance to seal qualification.
Payne opened the scoring in the 41st minute after Kanu capitalised on a goalkeeping error and squared the ball for her to finish. Nigeria went into half-time with a 1-0 lead but suffered a setback when captain Rasheedat Ajibade was stretchered off with an ankle injury in tears. Folashade Ijamilusi replaced her.
Kanu doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 58th minute, heading home a cross from Ijamilusi. Five minutes later, substitute Blessing Okpe beat two Comoros defenders before setting up Payne, who scored her second goal of the match.
Ijamilusi provided another assist in the 66th minute, crossing for Kanu to head in her second goal and Nigeria’s fourth. Okpe then won a penalty after being fouled inside the box, allowing Ucheibe to convert from the spot in the 71st minute.
Okpe, who came on at half-time for Gift Monday, finished the match with an assist and the penalty-winning run. Nigeria also kept clean sheets in both legs of the tie, underlining their defensive strength as they progressed to the next round.
The Super Falcons will face Morocco in a two-legged third-round tie scheduled for March 2027. Winning the encounter would move Nigeria closer to securing a fifth appearance at the Olympic Games women’s football tournament.
