Nigeria’s Super Falcons have advanced to the third round of the African qualifiers for the women’s football event at the 2028 Olympic Games after recording a commanding 5-0 victory over Comoros in the second leg of their second-round encounter.
A brace each from Uchenna Kanu and Toni Payne, alongside a penalty converted by Christy Ucheibe, secured the emphatic win for the nine-time African champions at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, on Tuesday.
The result gave Nigeria a 7-0 aggregate victory over Comoros, following their 2-0 win in the first leg, as the Falcons continued their quest to secure a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Nigerian side dominated proceedings and broke the deadlock in the 41st minute after Kanu capitalised on a defensive error by the visitors before setting up Payne, who calmly finished to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at half-time.
The Falcons returned from the break with renewed intensity and doubled their advantage in the 58th minute when Kanu rose to meet a delivery from Folashade Ijamilusi and headed the ball into the net.
The Cruz Azul Femenil forward appeared to have scored again three minutes later after connecting with another Ijamilusi cross. However, the goal was ruled out for offside, denying her an immediate second strike.
Nigeria continued to press forward, and Payne restored the momentum with her second goal of the evening in the 63rd minute.
The Inter Milan Femminile player finished confidently after Blessing Okpe produced an impressive run, dribbling past two Comoros defenders before setting up her teammate for the finish.
Kanu then completed her brace in the 66th minute, once again benefiting from Ijamilusi’s creativity. The forward met another inviting cross from the Nigerian winger to make it 4-0 and further underline the Falcons’ attacking superiority.
The hosts completed the rout five minutes later after Okpe was fouled inside the penalty area to earn Nigeria a spot-kick. Ucheibe stepped up and converted calmly in the 71st minute to extend the lead to five goals.
The Falcons maintained control for the remainder of the encounter, sealing a comprehensive victory and progressing to the next stage without conceding across both legs.
Nigeria will now face Morocco in the third round of the African qualifiers, scheduled for early 2027, as they continue their campaign to return to the Olympic women’s football tournament.
The victory provides a confidence boost for the Nigerian side, who will be seeking to build on their performance against Comoros as the competition becomes more challenging in the subsequent rounds.
