Nigeria set up third-round Morocco tie after 7-0 Olympic qualifying win

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will face Morocco in the third round of the African qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games after completing a 7-0 aggregate victory over Comoros.

The Super Falcons won the second leg 5-0 in Ikenne on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, having already claimed a 2-0 victory in the first meeting.

Uchenna Kanu and Toni Payne both scored twice, while Christy Ucheibe converted a penalty as Nigeria produced a dominant display. The result also came with an injury concern after captain Rasheedat Ajibade was forced off in the first half following a heavy collision.

Nigeria began the match with a two-goal advantage and almost extended it in the ninth minute when Gift Monday broke through on goal. However, she was unable to round the Comoros goalkeeper.

Ajibade’s injury led to her replacement by Folashade Ijamilusi in the 28th minute, but the setback did not disrupt Nigeria’s control of the tie.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 41st minute after Kanu intercepted a misplaced pass from the Comoros goalkeeper. She found Payne, who finished from close range to put Nigeria 1-0 ahead on the night and 3-0 in front on aggregate.

Nigeria increased the pressure after the interval, with coach Eguavoen bringing on Blessing Okpe for Monday. The change helped the hosts create more attacking opportunities.

Ijamilusi supplied the cross for Kanu to head in Nigeria’s second goal in the 58th minute. Kanu appeared to have scored again three minutes later, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Okpe then beat two defenders with a run down the flank before setting up Payne, who completed her brace in the 63rd minute. Ijamilusi provided another assist three minutes later, with Kanu heading in her second goal of the evening to make it 4-0.

Nigeria were awarded a penalty in the 71st minute after Okpe was brought down inside the area. Ucheibe converted from the spot to complete the five-goal victory in the second leg.

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

Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses will be Nigeria’s next opponents after Congo withdrew from the competition. The two sides are scheduled to meet over two legs between February 23 and March 6, 2027.

The African qualifying campaign involves 35 national teams across five two-legged knockout rounds. The third round is scheduled for February 23-March 6, 2027, followed by the fourth round from October 4-12, 2027, and the fifth round from November 23-December 4, 2027.

Sixteen teams will contest the third round, with the winners progressing to a fourth round involving eight teams. The final four will compete for two places at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, which are scheduled for July 11-29, 2028.