Nigeria's Super Falcons completed a 7-0 aggregate victory over Comoros in the second round of the 2028 Olympic qualifiers, with a 5-0 drubbing in Ikenne on Tuesday, to set up a third round meeting with Morocco.
Uchenna Kanu and Toni Payne both claimed a brace, while Christy Ucheibe converted a penalty to give the 10-time African champions a handy win in the second leg.
The victory was soured somewhat, though, by what appeared to be serious injury to captain Rasheedat Ajibade midway through the first half.
Ajibade was on the wrong end of a heavy collision, and landed heavily on her right foot in what appeared to be an ankle injury. She could not continue and her teary reaction while being stretchered off suggested the injury could be serious. Folashade Ijamilusi was introduced as her replacement.
Team officials told ESPN after the game that the captain was immediately sent off for an MRI, and results are being expected.
Interim coach Augustine Eguavoen went with an unchanged side from the first leg, and just like that fixture, the visitors sat deep and invited Nigeria pressure, which inevitably came with Gift Monday with an early first opportunity.
The former Washington Spirit forward broke through after just nine minutes, but Comoros goalkeeper Aicha Said, who was also outstanding in the first leg, was quick off her mark to nick the ball off the feet of the Nigerian as Monday tried to round her.
Despite the setback of losing the skipper, the breakthrough arrived just before halftime. Kanu, who scored the second in Friday's 2-0 win, pressured Said on a back pass, won the ball and squared for the arriving Payne, who made no mistake from close range.
In a half time tactical change, Eguavoen replaced Monday with Blessing Okpe. The substitution yielded immediate dividends as Nigeria began to find more spaces between the Comoros lines and the goal was not slow to follow.
Ijamilusi delivered a cross into the penalty area just before the hour mark for Kanu to double the night's scoreline with a firm header. Kanu thought she had added another three minutes later, but her tap in from another Ijamilusi cross was chalked off for offside.
That third was not to be denied, however. Okpe Slalomed her way past two Comoros defenders before cutting the ball back to Payne, who netted her second of the evening. Ijamilusi added a second assist for Kanu, with a whipped delivery that the former Racing Louisville forward headed home for her second of the match and third of the fixture.
Ucheibe added a fifth from the spot when Okpe was upended in the box.
The Super Falcons now advance to the third round, where Morocco await. The Atlas Lionesses advanced to the third round after Congo withdrew. The fixture is scheduled for March 2027.
Kanu continues to shine
Since her return from long-term injury, Kanu has looked a player reborn for Nigeria. At WAFCON, despite Nigeria's disappointing overall performances, Kanu was one of the bright lights from a dim display in Morocco.
Her two goals and one assist in this game took her tally over both legs to three goals and one assist, more goal contributions than any other Nigerian player this window. Incidentally, two of her goals across the two legs were eerily similar.
The goal in the first leg was a header from a corne from the right just before the hour. Her first in the second leg also came from a cross from the right just before the hour mark. And all three goals came from crosses from the right.
Beyond the goals, Kanu's tireless running, her willingness to take on defenders, initiate the pressure and create opportunities for teammates was immense, not to mention the superior aerial ability she brings to the field.
In this second leg, she also hit the post twice, had two shots saved and one goal disallowed in a highly effective attacking performance.
But it was not just her offensive contributions that counted. Defensively, even with the little that Comoros offered in attack, Kanu was always available to track back in transition and challenge for any breakaways before they turned into actual danger.
Used predominantly as a substitute at WAFCON, where she only started two games, Eguavoen has started her in both games of these qualifiers and she has not disappointed.
Igbokwe makes strong case
Under 20 captain Joy Igbokwe has been the revelation of this round of qualifiers. The Falconets midfielder has brought boundless energy, endless running, excellent reading of the play, an ability to get herself in the right spots to break up attacks, and even finding time to advance forward and get off a shot at goal.
The midfielder looks for all the world like she belongs on the senior stage. While Comoros was the opposition, and two games against an unadventurous opponent do not quite paint a full picture, Igbokwe did her chances no harm, and if she plays this way in subsequent games, there is no doubt that she will be a fixture in the Super Falcons for a long time to come.
This is important because her performance opens a lot of doors for the team. It allows more flexibility in central defence with Osinachi Ohale's retirement. In Tosin Demehin's absence, Ucheibe has been deployed to central defence alongside Shukurat Oladipo.
This frees Ucheibe to continue to play in central defence, where she excelled at WAFCON when Demehin was suspended, and has looked imperious in combination with Oladipo during this two-match series.
Additionally, with Ashleigh Plumptre returning, it allows the coaches more options to rotate. Demehin, despite her foibles, is now established at as the leading centerback. The question of deciding her partner now falls amongst Oladipo, Ucheibe and Plumptre.
The latter's versatility means she can also play on the left, bringing depth and quality to a spot that has been a soft underbelly for the Super Falcons, without weakening the centreback position or midfield. Ucheibe has the option of returning to midfield, where there is the additional option of Igbokwe in Additional to Abiodun.
Okpe forces her way in
Only in this squad because of the withdrawal of Asisat Oshoala, Blessing Okpe might just have forced her way into the roster for the next round of matches. The former Falconets forward, who won only her first cap in the first of this two-legged fixture, proved to be a game-changer when she came on at half time for Monday.
Her impact was instant, almost creating an opportunity straight from kickoff. Even if that did not pan out, Okpe was involved in plenty of other opportunities including goal contributions.
She helped the Super Falcons overcome their major first half issue of breaking down the deep-seating Comoros defence, skipping through legs to break through the tight lines, getting in behind with her pace, and being aggressive with her runs to open opportunities for her teammates.
The Belarus-based forward was the perfect answer to the Comoros low block and will present a template for whoever the next Super Falcons coach turns out to be.
Naturally, there will be an additional opportunity to run the rule over her and the other newbies if the Super Falcons can organize a friendly for the team ahead of the next FIFA window this November, where the Super Falcons have a chance to play three games.