Nigeria’s Super Falcons moved a step closer to securing a place at the 2028 Olympic Games after recording a commanding 5-0 victory over Comoros in the second leg of their second-round qualifying tie on Tuesday in Ikenne, completing a 7-0 aggregate triumph.
Armed with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, the Super Falcons approached the return fixture with attacking intent, creating early opportunities to extend their lead. Gift Monday came close to breaking the deadlock in the ninth minute after finding space behind the Comoros defence, but she was unable to beat the goalkeeper.
Nigeria suffered a major concern in the 28th minute when captain Rasheedat Ajibade was forced to leave the pitch following a heavy collision. Folashade Ijamilusi came on to replace the skipper as the hosts continued their search for the opening goal.
The breakthrough finally arrived four minutes before the interval. Uchenna Kanu capitalised on an error by the Comoros goalkeeper, won possession and laid the ball into the path of Toni Payne, who finished from close range to give Nigeria the lead.
Interim Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen introduced Blessing Okpe at the start of the second half, replacing Monday as the Super Falcons looked to increase their advantage. The change added impetus to Nigeria’s attack, and the hosts soon found their rhythm in the final third.
In the 58th minute, Ijamilusi delivered a well-timed cross into the box, allowing Kanu to rise above the defence and direct a header into the net for Nigeria’s second goal of the evening. The forward nearly completed her hat-trick moments later, but her effort following another delivery from Ijamilusi was ruled out for offside.
Payne doubled her personal tally in the 63rd minute after Okpe produced an impressive run down the flank, beating two defenders before cutting the ball back for the midfielder to finish.
Nigeria struck again three minutes later, with Ijamilusi providing another quality cross for Kanu to head home her second goal of the match and third across the two-legged encounter.
The Super Falcons continued to press and were awarded a penalty in the 71st minute after Okpe was brought down inside the area. Christy Ucheibe took responsibility from the spot and converted confidently to make it 5-0 on the night.
Eguavoen made further changes in the closing stages, with Jennifer Echegini and Kanu making way for Suliat Abideen and Shakirat Moshood in the 81st minute. Fatimah Soliat later replaced Payne in the 87th minute as Nigeria comfortably saw out the contest.
The emphatic victory secured a 7-0 aggregate win for the Super Falcons, who will now face Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses in the next round of the African qualifying campaign for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
