Nigeria cruised into the third round of the 2028 Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers after thrashing Comoros 5-0 in Tuesday’s second-leg encounter in Ikenne.
Toni Payne and Uchenna Kanu were on target twice, while Christy Ucheibe converted a penalty as Augustine Eguavoen’s side followed up their 2-0 first-leg victory with another convincing performance.
The Super Falcons started brightly with Gift Monday squandering an opportunity to break the deadlock in the ninth minute after finding herself through on goal but failing to beat the Comoros goalkeeper Aicha Said.
Five minutes later, Kanu came close, hitting the upright with a left-footed effort as the hosts continued to dominate possession.
Nigeria suffered a major setback in the 28th minute when captain Rasheedat Ajibade was forced off following a heavy collision, with Folashade Ijamilusi introduced as her replacement.
Kanu struck the woodwork again in the 39th minute before Eguavoen’s ladies finally made their pressure count two minutes later.
The forward intercepted a misplaced pass from goalkeeper Said before setting up Payne, who drilled home from close range.
The Super Falcons doubled their advantage in the 58th minute when Ijamilusi delivered a precise cross into the penalty area for Kanu to power home a header.
Kanu thought she had grabbed her second three minutes later, but her effort from another Ijamilusi delivery was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria extended their advantage in the 63rd minute after Blessing Okpe produced an impressive run down the flank, beating two defenders before cutting the ball back for Payne to complete her brace.
Three minutes later, Cruz Azul star Kanu also completed her double, heading home another excellent cross from Ijamilusi to extend the lead.
The 10-time African champions added a fifth in the 71st minute after Okpe was brought down inside the penalty area. Ucheibe stepped forward and calmly converted the resulting spot-kick.
With the contest effectively settled, Eguavoen made further substitutions, introducing Suliat Abideen and Shakirat Moshood for Jennifer Echegini and Kanu respectively.
The emphatic victory sealed a 7-0 aggregate triumph and secured the Super Falcons’ passage into the third round of qualification, where they face Morocco.
