Nigeria’s Super Falcons have begun preparations for their 2028 Olympic Women’s Football Tournament qualifying campaign, with 14 players taking part in their first training session ahead of Friday’s meeting with Comoros.
The two sides will face each other at Remo Stars Stadium, with the return fixture scheduled to take place at the same venue on Tuesday evening.
The Falcons are seeking another appearance at the Olympic tournament after ending a 16-year absence from the competition two years ago. The team is now preparing for another qualification campaign, with the goal of securing a place at the tournament in Los Angeles.
Interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen has had to make several adjustments to his squad as preparations continue.
Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, who was named Most Valuable Player at the recently concluded WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup competition in Yamoussoukro, has been released to join Nigeria’s Flamingos.
Favour Nkwocha, who represented the Falconets at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, has also returned to the under-17 side.
The Flamingos are due to leave Nigeria on Wednesday for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in Morocco.
Eguavoen is also dealing with a number of senior-team absences.
Defender Ashley Plumptre has asked to be excused because of a sprain and ligament injury, while Benfica defender Oluwatosin Demehin and forward Flourish Sabastine are unavailable as they pursue resident permits.
Five-time Africa Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala has also requested to be excused from the assignment.
Her absence has led Eguavoen to bring Belarus-based former U20 forward Blessing Okpe into the squad.
A further 11 players are expected to join the group, including defender Michelle Alozie, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, captain Rasheedat Ajibade and forward Gift Monday.
The players already in camp include goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, while Farida Abdulwahab, Tumininu Adeshina, Valentina Uroko, Glory Edet, Shukurat Oladipo and Glory Ogbonna make up the current group of defenders.
Midfield options in camp are Oluchi Omenazu, Joy Igbokwe, Fatimoh Solaty and Suliat Abideen.
The forwards currently with the team are Shakirat Moshood, Blessing Nkor and Sandra John.
Nigeria are still awaiting the arrival of several established players. Goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Comfort Erhabor are expected, alongside Alozie in defence.
Ucheibe, Toni Payne and Echegini are also expected to join the midfield group, while Ajibade, Monday, Joy Omewa, Janet Akekoromowei and Uchenna Kanu are expected among the forwards.
With the first meeting against Comoros approaching on Friday, the Falcons will continue building their squad as Eguavoen manages the combination of returning players, expected arrivals and those unavailable for the Olympic qualifying fixture.
The return match will be played at Remo Stars Stadium on Tuesday evening, giving Nigeria two opportunities to advance their Olympic qualification campaign and pursue another place at the women’s football tournament.
