LA2028: Super Falcons Learn Next Opponents After 7-0 Rout

Nigeria's Super Falcons found out their next opponent in the next round of the 2028 Olympic Games women's football qualifiers after sealing a commanding 7-0 aggregate victory over Comoros.

The Super Falcons booked their place in the third round of the African qualifying campaign with a dominant 5-0 victory in the second leg in Ikenne on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, completing a comfortable passage after their 2-0 win in the first leg.

The result dictated Nigeria's attacking strength as the team continued its pursuit of a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Uchenna Kanu scored twice, while Toni Payne also netted a brace and Christy Ucheibe complete the five-goal performance.

The victory also came at a cost, however, as captain Rasheedat Ajibade was forced off in the first half following.

Kanu, Payne Lead Super Falcons' Five-Star Display

Nigeria started the second leg on the front foot, looking to build on their two-goal advantage from the reverse fixture.

Gift Monday came close to opening the scoring in the ninth minute after breaking through on goal, but her attempt to round the Comoros goalkeeper was unsuccessful.

The Super Falcons suffered a setback in the 28th minute when captain Ajibade was forced off after a heavy collision.

Folashade Ijamilusi came on to replace the injured skipper.

Despite the disruption, Nigeria continued to push forward and eventually broke the deadlock in the 41st minute.

Kanu, who had scored the second goal in Friday's 2-0 first-leg victory, capitalised on an error by the Comoros goalkeeper.

The striker intercepted the ball before squaring it to Payne, who finished from close range to give Nigeria the lead.

The goal gave the hosts further control of the tie as they went into the interval with a 1-0 lead on the night and a 3-0 advantage on aggregate.

Ijamilusi and Okpe Inspire Second-Half Rout

Nigeria returned from the break with greater attacking intensity after Eguavoen introduced Blessing Okpe for Gift Monday.

The change immediately improved the hosts' forward play, with the Super Falcons creating more problems for the Comoros defence.

In the 58th minute, Ijamilusi delivered an accurate cross into the penalty area, allowing Kanu to rise and head home Nigeria's second goal of the night.

Kanu thought she had scored again three minutes later when she converted another delivery from Ijamilusi, but was ruled out for offside.

Nigeria did not have to wait long for their third goal.

In the 63rd minute, Okpe beat two Comoros defenders with a driving run down the flank before cutting the ball back for Payne, who finished confidently to complete her brace.

Three minutes later, Ijamilusi registered another assist, whipping in a delivery that Kanu headed into the net in the 66th minute.

The goal completed Kanu's brace on the night and gave Nigeria a commanding 4-0 lead in the second leg.

Ucheibe Completes Five-Goal Victory From the Spot

The Super Falcons continued to press forward and were awarded a penalty in the 71st minute after Okpe was brought down inside the box.

Midfielder Christy Ucheibe stepped up and converted the spot-kick, putting Nigeria five goals ahead and completing the emphatic victory.

With the outcome beyond doubt, the technical crew made further substitutions to manage the players' workload.

Jennifer Echegini and Kanu were replaced by Suliat Abideen and Shakirat Moshood in the 81st minute, while Fatimah Soliat came on for Payne in the 87th minute.

Nigeria saw out the remaining minutes to complete a 7-0 aggregate triumph, having won the first leg 2-0.

The result secured the Super Falcons' passage into the third round, although Ajibade's first-half injury remained a concern following the comfortable victory.

Who Will Nigeria Face Next?

The Super Falcons' next opponents will be Morocco's Atlas Lionesses, who advanced to the third round after Congo withdrew from the qualifying competition.

Nigeria's meeting with Morocco is scheduled to take place over two legs between February 23 and March 6, 2027, according to the Confederation of African Football's qualifying schedule.

The tie is a major test for Nigeria, who will face a side that has made considerable progress in women's football in recent years.

Morocco reached the final of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, losing 3-2 to Nigeria after surrendering a two-goal lead.

The Atlas Lionesses will therefore have an opportunity to face the Super Falcons again in a competitive encounter as both countries pursue Olympic qualification.

Unlike Nigeria, Morocco did not have to play its second-round tie after Congo's withdrawal, allowing the North Africans to progress directly into the next phase.

The Super Falcons will now have to prepare for a more demanding contest as they seek to move closer to the Olympic tournament.

How the 2028 Olympic Qualifiers Will Work

The African qualifying campaign for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games features 35 national teams competing through five knockout rounds, with each tie played over two legs.

According to CAF, the qualifying schedule is as follows:

1. First round: June 1–9, 2026
2. Second round: October 5–13, 2026
3. Third round: February 23–March 6, 2027
4. Fourth round: October 4–12, 2027
5. Fifth round: November 23–December 4, 2027

The Super Falcons have now completed the second round and must navigate three more rounds to secure one of Africa's two available places at the Olympics.

Sixteen teams will contest the third round, with eight advancing to the fourth round. Those eight will then compete for four places in the final qualifying stage.

The final four teams will compete in the fifth round, with the two winners earning Africa's tickets to the women's football tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, scheduled for July 11–29, 2028.

The Super Falcons will be looking to build on their dominant performance while monitoring Ajibade's condition ahead of future fixtures.

With three more rounds separating Nigeria from the Olympic tournament, the 7-0 aggregate win is an important step, but the ultimate objective remains securing one of Africa's two qualification places for Los Angeles 2028.