Five-Star Falcons Demolish Comoros 7–0 On Aggregate, Morocco Await In Olympic Race
By FRED LONGJOHN OBEH
THE Super Falcons strengthened their bid for a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games with a commanding 5–0 victory over Comoros in the second leg of their African qualifying tie on Tuesday.
Playing at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria completed a 7–0 aggregate win after taking a 2–0 advantage from the first leg. The result secured their passage into the third round in convincing fashion.
Toni Payne and Uchenna Kanu led the scoring with two goals apiece, while Christy Ucheibe added the fifth from the penalty spot.
Payne broke the deadlock in the 41st minute after Kanu seized on a defensive error and created the opening for her. Although Nigeria had already established an aggregate lead, the goal gave the hosts further control of the contest.
After the interval, the Falcons intensified their pressure. Kanu doubled the lead in the 58th minute, heading in a cross from Folashade Ijamilusi before Payne extended Nigeria’s advantage five minutes later following a promising move involving substitute Blessing Okpe.
The Nigerian attack continued to overwhelm Comoros. In the 66th minute, Kanu converted another Ijamilusi cross to complete her brace and make it 4–0. Subsequently, Ucheibe converted a penalty in the 71st minute after Okpe won the spot-kick, putting the finishing touch on an impressive team performance.
With Comoros eliminated, Nigeria will now turn their attention to Morocco, who advanced after Congo withdrew from the competition. The third-round matches will take place between 23 February and 6 March 2027.
The next tie is expected to present a more demanding challenge for the Super Falcons as they pursue qualification for the women’s football tournament at Los Angeles 2028. Only two African teams will earn places at the Olympics after five rounds of qualifying.
Nevertheless, Nigeria can approach the next stage with confidence following their comprehensive performance against Comoros. Having returned to the Olympic tournament at Paris 2024, the team will now aim to maintain its momentum and secure a second successive appearance at the Games.
