Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie has warned Nigeria against complacency despite their 2-0 victory over Comoros in the first leg of the second round of the 2028 Olympic women's football qualifiers.
The Brighton Women FC goalkeeper said the Super Falcons are still working to improve after Friday's encounter in Ikenne-Remo, where Nigeria secured an important advantage in their quest to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
She insists that the team must raise its performance in Tuesday's return fixture.
Although the 10-time African champions controlled much of the contest, Nnadozie believes the result is not enough to guarantee progression, particularly as the standard of women's football continues to improve and less-fancied nations become increasingly competitive.
Speaking after the match, the Nigerian shot-stopper emphasized that the team would not judge its opponents based on reputation.
Instead, the ladies would focus on delivering another strong performance in the second leg.
"Football is no longer a world or a place whereby you define a team by the name of the country or whatever."
"So, I mean, coming the next game, we will try and give our best."
"We are not done yet, so we will try everything we can to make sure we get it all going."
Nnadozie also warned that Comoros would be determined to respond after losing the opening encounter, urging her teammates to remain focused until the job is completed.
"It's not going to be an easy one. They will come back with everything to make sure they get the points."
"However, we will keep our heads up and keep working hard and make sure we finish the job well."
Nnadozie Warns Against Underrating Comoros
The Super Falcons entered the tie as favourites, but Nnadozie explained the growing awareness within the Nigerian camp that international women's football is becoming increasingly competitive.
For the goalkeeper, a country's reputation should no longer determine how seriously its team is treated on the pitch.
Nigeria have built a formidable reputation in African women's football, winning the Women's Africa Cup of Nations a record 10 times.
However, Nnadozie believes that history alone cannot secure victory, particularly in a qualifying competition where every result matters.
Her message is that Nigeria must
- maintain its intensity,
- improve on the first-leg performance and
- approach the return fixture with the same determination required against a more established opponent.
With Comoros needing to overturn a two-goal deficit, the Super Falcons will be expected to manage their advantage carefully while remaining ambitious enough to extend it.
Super Falcons Take Two-Goal Advantage
Nigeria secured the 2-0 victory on Friday, despite the fixture officially serving as Comoros' home leg and being played at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.
Interim head coach, Augustine Eguavoen handed a starting berth to former Falconets captain Joy Igbokwe, who made her senior international debut in the encounter and anchored the midfield.
The Super Falcons dominated possession and controlled the tempo for long periods but initially struggled to turn their attacking superiority into goals.
In the 11th minute, a series of sharp attacking combinations created an opening in the final third, but Toni Payne's curling effort drifted wide.
Payne threatened again in the 26th minute when she set up captain Rasheedat Ajibade. Ajibade's effort struck the crossbar, while Glory Ogbonna failed to convert the rebound.
Nigeria continued to press, but Comoros held on until the second half before the visitors' resistance was finally broken.
Alozie and Kanu Deliver the Goals
The breakthrough arrived three minutes after the restart.
In the 48th minute, Gift Monday nodded a cross into the danger area, allowing Michelle Alozie to finish with a composed right-footed tap-in and put Nigeria ahead.
The goal relieved some of the pressure on the Super Falcons after their first-half dominance had produced no breakthrough.
Nigeria doubled their advantage on the hour mark through another set-piece opportunity.
Jennifer Echegini delivered a precise corner, and Uchenna Kanu reacted quickest inside the box to beat the goalkeeper with a header.
The second goal gave the Super Falcons greater control of the tie and placed them in a stronger position ahead of the return fixture.
The technical crew subsequently introduced fresh players, allowing emerging talents to gain valuable international experience while Nigeria managed the closing stages.
Folashade Ijamilusi came on for Kanu in stoppage time as the technical crew sought to see out the result.
Two Super Falcons Debutants Make Their Mark
The encounter also provided opportunities for two players to begin their senior international careers.
Janet Akekoromowei replaced Toni Payne in the 61st minute, making her senior debut for Nigeria.
Suliat Abideen followed in the 69th minute when she replaced Gift Monday, earning her first cap for the Super Falcons.
The introductions offered Nigeria additional options while giving the coaching staff an opportunity to assess emerging players during a crucial stage of the Olympic qualifying campaign.
Comoros Must Respond After 30-0 Aggregate Victory
Comoros reached the second round after recording a remarkable 30-0 aggregate victory over Sudan in the previous qualifying round.
However, the Super Falcons presented a significantly tougher challenge, with Nigeria's tactical organisation, attacking quality and pressure limiting Comoros' opportunities.
Comoros will have another opportunity to respond to the defeat when the teams meet again in Ikenne-Remo.
The two-goal deficit leaves the island nation needing a much-improved performance to remain in contention, while Nigeria must avoid allowing their advantage to create a false sense of security.
Morocco Await the Aggregate Winners
The second leg will determine which team advances to the third round of the five-round African qualifying series.
The aggregate winners will face Morocco in the next stage, bringing Nigeria one step closer to securing a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The immediate task for Nigeria's Super Falcons is to complete the job against Comoros before turning their attention to the next challenge.
The mood within the Nigerian camp is that the 2-0 victory has put the team in a strong position, but qualification has not yet been secured.
With Morocco waiting in the next round, the Super Falcons must turn their first-leg advantage into progression and must do that without underestimating Comoros.
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