Three senior stars arrive in Ijebu Ode as interim coach Augustine Eguavoen prepares for Friday’s first leg at the Remo Stars Stadium.
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Stars arrive in Ijebu Ode
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and defender Michelle Alozie have reported to the Super Falcons camp in Ijebu Ode. They are preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games qualifier against Comoros. FootballInNigeria.com.ng reports that midfielder Jennifer Echegini and forward Folashade Ijamilusi also arrived, taking the number in camp to 22.
Four players are still expected: Comfort Erhabor, Gift Monday, Joy Omewa and Uchenna Kanu. The squad trains again on Wednesday night at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode.
A venue change and a tight schedule
The first leg was meant to be played in Comoros, but the island nation has no CAF approved venue for international games. It will now be staged at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Friday, October 9, with kick off at 6pm. The return leg takes place at the same ground on Tuesday, October 13.
The Comoros squad arrived in Ijebu Ode on Monday and held its first training session on Tuesday night. They will not be short of confidence.
Eguavoen’s task
Augustine Eguavoen is in charge on an interim basis after the NFF sacked Justine Madugu and his technical crew. It is the first time the former Super Eagles coach has managed a women’s national team. He is assisted by Christopher Danjuma, Ayisat Yusuf and goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa.
The change followed Nigeria’s failure to qualify for next year’s Women’s World Cup, the first time the Super Falcons have missed it since the tournament began in 1991. Supporters planning to back the Falcons on Friday can look up the Bet9ja promotion code first.
Comoros, and the road beyond
Comoros reached this round by beating Sudan 30-0 on aggregate, so the visitors arrive with goals in their legs. Nigeria, as one of the three highest-ranked teams in the competition, received a bye into the second round.
The Falcons must get through four rounds of two-legged ties to claim one of Africa’s two places at Los Angeles 2028. Beating Comoros would send them to the third round, between February 23 and March 6, 2027, against either DR Congo or Morocco.
New Bet9ja users following the qualifiers can read about the Bet9ja referral code before staking.
Ajibade recently reflected on the Falcons’ WAFCON 2026 struggles, saying the team is not invincible. Can this group answer those doubts against Comoros? The first leg should tell us a lot.
Players in camp
Goalkeepers: Christiana Uzoma, Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Defenders: Michelle Alozie, Farida Abdulwahab, Sandra John, Tumininu Adeshina, Valentina Uroko, Glory Edet, Shukurat Oladipo, Glory Ogbonna.
Midfielders: Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Favour Omenazu, Joy Igbokwe, Jennifer Echegini, Fatimoh Solaty, Suliat Abideen.
Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade, Shakirat Moshood, Blessing Nkor, Folashade Ijamilusi, Janet Akekoromowei.
Eguavoen has two days to settle his side before Friday. Fans who want a bigger welcome offer can check the YOHAIG welcome offer before kick-off.
📌 Did You Know?
- The NFF invited 28 players and told them to report to the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on October 3.
- The Super Falcons are 10-time African champions.
- Assistant coach Ayisat Yusuf won 68 caps for Nigeria and played at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- Christopher Danjuma, who coaches Nasarawa Amazons, has also led the Falconets at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
- Eguavoen guided the Super Eagles to a bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
- A place in the fourth round would pit Nigeria against Tunisia, Senegal, Benin Republic or Mali between October 4 and 12, 2027.
