Super Falcons Confident of Overcoming Comoros Despite Key Withdrawals

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Augustine Eguavoen remains confident that the Super Falcons can overcome Comoros and keep Nigeria’s 2028 Olympic qualification campaign on course despite several late withdrawals from the squad.

Nigeria will begin the qualifying tie against Comoros on October 9, with the return leg scheduled for October 13. Eguavoen believes the players available to him have enough quality and experience to handle the challenge.

Key Takeaways

Augustine Eguavoen remains confident that the Super Falcons can overcome Comoros despite several key withdrawals.
Asisat Oshoala, Ashley Plumptre and Oluwatosin Demehin are among the players who withdrew from the original squad.
Eguavoen believes the replacements have the quality and experience needed to contribute against Comoros.
Nigeria will face Comoros in the first leg on October 9, followed by the return leg on October 13.
Both matches are scheduled to take place at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.
The Super Falcons must advance on aggregate to reach the third round of the 2028 Olympic qualifying series.
Rasheedat Ajibade will captain Nigeria as the team targets a second consecutive Olympic appearance after Paris 2024.

Eguavoen Trusts the Players Available

The Super Falcons will enter the tie without Asisat Oshoala, Ashley Plumptre and Oluwatosin Demehin, who have all withdrawn from the original squad.

Rather than allowing the absences to disrupt Nigeria’s preparations, Eguavoen said he is confident in the replacements brought into the team.

“It is true that we have a number of withdrawals, notably Asisat Oshoala, Ashley Plumptre and Oluwatosin Demehin. However, I have confidence in their replacements, as these ones also have the quality and experience to contribute meaningfully to the team’s success against Comoros,” he said.

The coach’s message puts the focus on squad depth as Nigeria prepares for a tie in which progression will be decided over two matches.

Olympic Qualification Is the Bigger Objective

The meetings with Comoros are part of the African qualifying series for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Nigeria must finish the two-leg contest with the better aggregate result to advance to the third round, with that stage scheduled for March 2027.

That makes the opening encounter particularly important, as the Falcons will be looking to establish a strong position before the second leg four days later.

Both matches will take place at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, with Comoros unable to host the fixtures at a standard football pitch in their own country.

Withdrawals Have Not Disrupted Camp

Despite the changes to the squad, Eguavoen said preparations have progressed positively.

The coach confirmed that the players have settled into camp, while Belarus-based forward Blessing Okpe was the only late invitee yet to join the team in Ijebu-Ode at the time of his comments.

“Everyone has settled in well in camp as we have a full house now, and our focus is to present a strong and competitive squad for the two matches,” Eguavoen said.

The statement reflects the team’s immediate priority: maintaining preparation and concentration despite the absence of several established players.

Super Falcons Face Two Tests Against Comoros

Nigeria’s task will be to manage the two encounters effectively and secure enough over the aggregate scoreline to continue its Olympic qualification journey.

The first leg is scheduled for October 9, before the teams meet again on October 13 for the return fixture, with both games taking place at Remo Stars Stadium.

For Eguavoen and his squad, the challenge is not simply to overcome the withdrawals but to ensure that the changes do not derail Nigeria’s wider qualification objective.

Nigeria Chasing Another Olympic Appearance

The Super Falcons are seeking a second consecutive appearance at the Olympic football tournament after featuring at Paris 2024.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade will lead Nigeria’s challenge as the team attempts to take another step toward securing a place at the 2028 Games.

With the first leg approaching, Eguavoen’s confidence in his replacements will now be tested on the pitch. The Falcons’ immediate objective is clear: navigate the two matches against Comoros successfully and keep their Olympic qualification campaign moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Super Falcons play Comoros?

Nigeria will face Comoros in the first leg of their 2028 Olympic qualifying tie on October 9, with the return leg scheduled for October 13.

Where will Nigeria vs Comoros be played?

Both matches are scheduled to take place at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.

Which Super Falcons players withdrew from the squad?

The players identified as having withdrawn are Asisat Oshoala, Ashley Plumptre and Oluwatosin Demehin.

Is Augustine Eguavoen confident about Nigeria’s chances?

Yes. Eguavoen said he has confidence in the replacements and believes they possess the quality and experience to contribute to the team’s success against Comoros.