Nigeria’s Super Falcons began preparations for their 2028 Olympic qualifying tie against Comoros on Monday. Only 14 players trained in Ikenne. Several key players will miss the two-legged encounter. Defender Ashley Plumptre and forward Asisat Oshoala have been excused. Plumptre requested to be excused after suffering a sprain and ligament injury. Oshoala was also granted permission to miss the assignment.
The Super Falcons are Africa’s most successful women’s team. They have won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations a record 11 times. They returned to the Olympics at Paris 2024 after a 16-year absence. The team is seeking back-to-back appearances. The 2028 Games in Los Angeles are the target. The qualifying campaign is long. Comoros is the first hurdle. Nigeria is expected to win comfortably.
The absences have forced interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen to adjust his squad. Belarus-based former U20 forward Blessing Okpe was called up to replace Oshoala. Eguavoen also released two players to the Flamingos. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Favour Nkwocha have returned to the U17 team. The Flamingos leave for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco on Wednesday.
Despite the withdrawals, 14 players trained on Monday evening at the Remo Stars Stadium. Goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma trained alongside defenders Farida Abdulwahab, Tumininu Adeshina, Valentina Uroko, Glory Edet, Shukurat Oladipo and Glory Ogbonna. Eleven more players are expected, including goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Michelle Alozie, midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne and Jennifer Echegini, captain Rasheedat Ajibade and forward Gift Monday. The Falcons host Comoros in the first leg on Friday. The return fixture is on Tuesday, 13 October.
Winners: Players called up as replacements, who gain opportunities. The Flamingos, who gain key players. Comoros, which faces a weakened Nigeria. Losers: Oshoala and Plumptre, who miss the qualifiers. The Falcons, whose squad is depleted. Eguavoen, who must adjust his plans. Fans, who wanted to see the stars play.
Bottom Line: Oshoala and Plumptre are out. The Falcons trained with 14 players. Comoros is the opponent. Nigeria should still win. But the absences expose the squad’s thin depth. The qualifiers are a test of the bench.