BREAKING: Plumptre Returns as 28 Super Falcons Receive LA 2028 Olympic Call-Ups

The road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics is officially underway for the Super Falcons, and interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen has assembled and released a squad packed with experience, emerging talent and familiar faces.

Eguavoen has invited 28 players for Nigeria’s second-round Olympic qualifying fixture against Comoros, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Michelle Alozie and Ashley Plumptre among the headline names.

The squad also features established internationals including Asisat Oshoala, Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Echegini, Uchenna Kanu and Gift Monday, while several promising youngsters have been handed an opportunity to be part of the Olympic qualification campaign.

Experience Meets the Next Generation

Eguavoen's selection brings together players with extensive international experience and a group of younger talents looking to establish themselves with the senior national team.

Nnadozie, who plays for Brighton Hove & Albion, leads the goalkeeping options alongside Comfort Erhabor of Portsmouth Ladies and Edo Queens goalkeeper, Christiana Uzoma.

The defensive department includes

1. Alozie,
2. Shukurat Oladipo,
3. Farida Abdulwahab,
4. Glory Ogbonna,
5. Oluwatosin Demehin,
6. Glory Edet,
7. Ashleigh Plumptre and
8. Tumininu Adeshina.

In midfield, Eguavoen has selected

1. Ucheibe,
2. Joy Igbokwe,
3. Favour Nkwocha,
4. Fatimoh Solaty,
5. Suliat Abideen,
6. Payne and
7. Echegini.

The forward line contains plenty of firepower, with

1. Ajibade,
2. Oshoala,
3. Flourish Sabastine,
4. Shakirat Moshood,
5. Monday,
6. Omewa,
7. Blessing Nkor,
8. Adegbuyi,
9. Akekoromowei and
10. Kanu

all included.

Among the younger players, who will now have the opportunity to make their mark in a senior international campaign are;

1. Uzoma,
2. Abdulwahab,
3. Adeshina,
4. Nkwocha,
5. Moshood and
6. Adegbuyi

Comoros Stand Between Nigeria and the Next Round

The Super Falcons will face Comoros over two legs in the second round of the Olympic qualifying series.

The first leg will be played on Friday, October 9, with Comoros officially listed as the home side.

However, the match will take place at the Remo Stars Sports Stadium in Ikenne-Remo because Comoros does not have a CAF-approved venue for international matches.

Nigeria will then host the return leg at the same stadium on Tuesday, October 13.

The players have been instructed to report to the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Saturday, October 3, as preparations begin for the two decisive encounters.

One Tie, One Target

There is little room for error in a two-legged qualifying contest.

Victory on aggregate will send Nigeria into the third round of the five-fixture Olympic qualifying campaign, which is scheduled to run through December next year.

That makes the Comoros tie the first major hurdle on what could become a lengthy journey towards Los Angeles.

For Nigeria, qualification would mean a return to the Olympic women's football tournament after the Super Falcons missed out on the Paris 2024 Games.

Eguavoen will therefore be hoping the combination of experienced stars and emerging talents can deliver the result required to keep Nigeria's Olympic dream alive.

Full List of 28 Super Falcons

Goalkeepers

1. Chiamaka Nnadozie — Brighton Hove & Albion, England
2. Comfort Erhabor — Portsmouth Ladies, England
3. Christiana Uzoma — Edo Queens

Defenders

1. Michelle Alozie — Chicago Stars, USA
2. Shukurat Oladipo — AS Roma, Italy
3. Farida Abdulwahab — Nasarawa Amazons
4. Glory Ogbonna — Besiktas JK, Turkey
5. Oluwatosin Demehin — SL Benfica, Portugal
6. Glory Edet — Bayelsa Queens
7. Ashley Plumptre — Al-Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia
8. Tumininu Adeshina — Edo Queens

Midfielders

1. Christy Ucheibe — Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia
2. Joy Igbokwe — Nasarawa Amazons
3. Favour Nkwocha — FC Robo Queens
4. Fatimoh Solaty — Nasarawa Amazons
5. Suliat Abideen — Fenerbahce Ladies, Turkey
6. Toni Payne — Inter Milan, Italy
7. Jennifer Echegini — Paris Saint Germain, France

Forwards

1. Rasheedat Ajibade — Paris Saint Germain, France
2. Asisat Oshoala — Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia
3. Flourish Sabastine — SL Benfica, Portugal
4. Shakirat Moshood — SCU Torreense, Portugal
5. Gift Monday — Washington Spirit, USA
6. Joy Omewa — BK Hacken, Sweden
7. Blessing Nkor — Dynamo Brest, Belarus
8. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi — Edo Queens
9. Janet Akekoromowei — SL Benfica, Portugal
10. Uchenna Kanu — Cruz Azul Femenil, Mexico

The first whistle in Ikenne will mark the beginning of Nigeria's latest attempt to reach the Olympic Games.

The destination is Los Angeles but first, Comoros stands in the way of the Nigeria's Super Falcons.