Super Falcons Begin Olympic Qualification Journey Against Comoros In October

Super Falcons Begin Olympic Qualification Journey Against Comoros In October

By Niyi Busari 

Super Falcons will begin their quest for a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games in October, facing a potentially demanding qualification campaign for one of Africa’s two available tickets, BSNSports.com.ng reports. 

The former African champions have been drawn against Comoros in the second round of the African qualifiers, with the two-legged tie scheduled to take place between October 5 and 13, 2026.

Nigeria, alongside African heavyweights South Africa and Ghana, received a bye into the second round as one of the continent’s top-ranked teams.

Comoros, meanwhile, secured their place in the next phase in emphatic fashion, dismantling Sudan 30-0 on aggregate. They recorded a 17-0 victory in the first leg before completing the rout with a 13-0 win in the return fixture.

While Nigeria will enter the tie as overwhelming favourites, the knockout nature of the qualification process leaves little room for complacency. The Falcons must navigate each round successfully if they are to return to the Olympic stage.

The October fixtures will represent Nigeria’s first competitive hurdle on the road to Los Angeles.

The Super Falcons returned to the Olympics at Paris 2024, ending a 16-year absence from the Games. They will now seek consecutive Olympic appearances for the first time since qualifying for the 2004 and 2008 editions.

A successful outcome against Comoros would send Nigeria into the third round, where they are scheduled to face either Morocco or Congo.

Those fixtures are expected to be played between February 23 and March 6, 2027.

A meeting with Morocco could provide a particularly stern test. The Atlas Lionesses have established themselves among Africa’s leading women’s teams in recent years, while Congo would also represent a potentially tricky opponent.

Another Tough Hurdle in Round Four

Should the Falcons overcome their third-round opponents,another challenge awaits in the fourth round, scheduled for October 4 to 12, 2027.

Nigeria’s potential opponents at that stage will emerge from a group featuring Tunisia, Senegal, Benin Republic and Mali.

The demanding format means the Falcons will have to maintain a high level of consistency throughout a qualification campaign spanning more than a year.

Squad depth, player fitness, continuity and adequate preparation could prove crucial, particularly as the team will be required to perform over multiple home-and-away ties.

Two Olympic Tickets Available

The decisive phase of the qualification series is scheduled for November 23 to December 4, 2027, when the remaining four teams will contest the final two ties.

The winners of those two encounters will secure Africa’s tickets to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

A total of 35 African nations entered the qualifying competition, which is being contested through successive knockout rounds.

For Nigeria, that means winning four consecutive two-legged ties will be required to guarantee a place at the Games.

Falcons Eye Back-to-Back Olympic Appearances

Nigeria’s return to the Olympics at Paris 2024 ended a lengthy absence from the women’s football tournament.

The Super Falcons had previously featured at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, with their best performance coming at Athens 2004, where they reached the quarter-finals.

Following their recent dominance in African women’s football, expectations will be high as the Falcons attempt to secure another Olympic berth.

Former Super Falcons forward and Olympian Patience Avre-Odeli has already urged the National Sports Commission and Nigeria Football Federation to provide the team with adequate support throughout the campaign.

With four knockout rounds standing between Nigeria and Los Angeles, preparation will be critical.

The journey begins with Comoros in October. Morocco or Congo could follow, before another difficult hurdle awaits in the fourth round and, ultimately, the battle for one of Africa’s two Olympic tickets.

The destination is Los Angeles. The road starts now.