Morocco have already secured progression to the third round following the withdrawal of Congo from the qualifying competition, according to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. The Atlas Lionesses will therefore meet the aggregate winner of the Nigeria-Comoros contest in the next phase.
The third-round matches are scheduled to take place between 23 February and 6 March 2027, giving Nigeria an additional hurdle to overcome in their bid to return to the Olympic Games.
Super Falcons must first overcome Comoros
Nigeria begin their second-round campaign against Comoros on Friday, 9 October, before the return leg on Tuesday, 13 October. Both matches are being played at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
The unusual arrangement means Comoros will not enjoy the traditional home advantage in the opening leg, as the island nation does not have a CAF-approved stadium for the fixture.
The Super Falcons received a bye into the second round because of their ranking among the highest-rated teams in the qualifying competition. Comoros, meanwhile, reached this stage after recording a remarkable 30-0 aggregate victory over Sudan in the opening round.
Nigeria will be expected to draw on their experience and quality, but they must produce a strong performance across both legs to secure progression.
Morocco advance without playing in the second round
The Moroccan women's national team have benefited from Congo's withdrawal, allowing them to progress directly to the third round.
The development gives the Atlas Lionesses additional preparation time before their next qualifying assignment, where they will face either Nigeria or Comoros.
Morocco have emerged as a significant force in African women's football in recent years, making the prospect of a meeting with Nigeria an important test for both teams.
The Super Falcons remain one of the continent's most successful sides, while Morocco's recent progress has strengthened their standing in the regional game.
A potentially difficult test for Nigeria
If Nigeria advance, the tie against Morocco would present a demanding challenge in their pursuit of Olympic qualification.
The Super Falcons are seeking a return to the Women's Olympic Football Tournament after participating at Paris 2024. Their ambition is to secure another appearance at the Los Angeles 2028 Games and reinforce Nigeria's position among Africa's leading women's football nations.
However, the team cannot afford to look too far ahead. The immediate task is to negotiate the two matches against Comoros before preparations for the next round can begin.
Road to Los Angeles 2028
The African qualifying competition features several rounds of two-legged knockout ties, with only two places available for African teams at the women's football tournament in Los Angeles.
Progressing past Comoros would move Nigeria into the third round, where Morocco are waiting. Victory in that tie would take the Super Falcons closer to the final stages of the qualification process.
For now, Nigeria's focus remains firmly on Comoros. The outcome of the October fixtures will determine whether the Super Falcons get the opportunity to face Morocco in the next phase of their Olympic journey.