2028 Olympics Qualifier: Super Falcons thrash Comoros 5-0 to reach third round

Nigeria’s Super Falcons booked their place in the third round of the 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers with a commanding 5-0 victory over Comoros in the second leg of their second-round encounter in Ikenne on Tuesday.

The 10-time African champions advanced with a convincing 7-0 aggregate win after securing a two-goal advantage in the first leg.

However, Nigeria suffered an early setback when captain Rasheedat Ajibade was forced off in the 23rd minute following a collision with a Comoros defender. She was replaced by China-based forward Folashade Ijamilusi.

Despite their dominance, the Super Falcons had to wait until the 41st minute to break the deadlock.

Uchenna Kanu capitalised on a goalkeeping error before setting up Toni Payne, who calmly fired the ball into the net.

Kanu extended Nigeria’s lead just minutes into the second half, strengthening the hosts’ grip on the encounter.

Payne grabbed her second goal of the match in the 61st minute, finishing off a well-worked move after substitute Blessing Okpe created the opportunity.

Five minutes later, Kanu completed her brace with a well-taken header to make it 4-0, further underlining Nigeria’s superiority.

Al-Hilal midfielder Christy Ucheibe rounded off the emphatic victory from the penalty spot in the 70th minute to complete the 5-0 rout.

The Super Falcons will now turn their attention to the third qualifying round, scheduled for February 23 to March 6, 2027, where they will face either Morocco or the Democratic Republic of Congo as they continue their quest to secure a place at the 2028 Olympic Games.