Super Falcons begin their road to Los Angeles against a Comoros side that scored 30 in the last round
Nigeria host both legs in Ikenne, starting on Friday evening, without Asisat Oshoala and four other regulars. Only two African teams will reach the 2028 Olympics.
Ikenne — Nigeria's women's football team open their campaign to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games on Friday against Comoros, Premium Times reports.
The first leg kicks off at 6pm Nigerian time at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State. The second leg will be played at the same ground on Tuesday, because Comoros does not have a stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football.
Mismatch on paper
The Super Falcons are ten-time African champions and played at the Paris Olympics in 2024, their first appearance at the Games in 16 years. They received a bye into this round.
Comoros have never played at an Olympics. They arrive in form of a kind, having beaten Sudan 30-0 on aggregate in the first round, 17-0 and 13-0.
Missing names
Nigeria's interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, is without Asisat Oshoala, Ashley Plumptre, Oluwatosin Demehin, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Favour Nkwocha. He has said the withdrawals will not affect his side.
The captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, said the team would "take it one step at a time, one game at a time".
The Comoros coach, Yusuf Abdullah, described the tie as valuable experience for the development of women's football in his country. His captain is Assimina Maoulida.
A narrow door
Only two African teams will qualify for Los Angeles. The winner of this tie meets Morocco in the third round.
This report is based on reporting by Premium Times. The match had not been played when it was written.
