Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Tuesday advanced to the third round of the African qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, as they thrashed Comoros’ Coelacanths 5-0 in the second-leg, second-round fixture at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.
The 10-time African champions under interim head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, thus eliminated Comoros from the race 7-0 on aggregate following their 2-0 win in the first leg at the same stadium, where Michelle Alozie and Uchenna Kanu hit the scoresheet.
Toni Payne, Kanu and Christy Ucheibe were among the goalscorers as Nigeria produced an impressive attacking display to book a showdown with Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses in the next round.
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The Super Falcons retained the side that won the first leg and initially struggled to turn their dominance into goals.
Kanu, Gift Monday and captain Rasheedat Ajibade missed a number of chances, while Comoros goalkeeper Aicha Said made vital saves to keep the visitors in the game.
Nigeria eventually broke the deadlock four minutes before half-time after Kanu capitalised on a blunder by Said before squaring the ball for Payne, who finished confidently.
On resumption, Kanu could not maximise a superb cross by Jennifer Echegini, but in the 58th minute, she rose highest to head home a superb cross from substitute Folashade Ijamilusi to double the lead for the homers.
Five minutes later, Payne completed her brace after Blessing Okpe produced an excellent run, dribbling past two defenders before setting up the forward to score.
Kanu then grabbed her second goal of the day in the 66th minute, meeting another inviting delivery from Ijamilusi with a powerful header to make it 4-0.
Okpe continued to torment the Comoros defence and won a penalty in the 70th minute after another impressive run.
Ucheibe stepped up and confidently converted the spot-kick to complete Nigeria’s five-goal rout.
Meanwhile, Nigeria will now face Morocco in the third round of the African qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles.
