Second-half goals from Michelle Alozie and Uchenna Kanu secured the win for the 10-time African champions at Remo Stars Stadium, giving interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen a positive start in charge of the team.
Although the match was played in Nigeria, Comoros were officially designated as the home side because the island nation does not have a CAF-approved stadium suitable for the fixture.
Super Falcons dominate but fail to score before half-time
Nigeria started on the front foot, controlling possession and creating several opportunities against a Comoros side that defended resolutely during the opening period.
The Super Falcons came close to taking the lead in the 11th minute when Toni Payne curled an effort narrowly off target after a promising attacking move.
Payne threatened again in the 26th minute, setting up captain Rasheedat Ajibade, whose effort struck the crossbar. Glory Ogbona was unable to convert the rebound as Comoros survived another dangerous moment.
Despite Nigeria’s territorial dominance and attacking pressure, the first half ended goalless, with the Super Falcons needing greater precision in front of goal.
Alozie breaks the deadlock after the restart
Nigeria finally found the breakthrough three minutes into the second half.
In the 48th minute, Gift Monday directed a header into the danger area, allowing defender Michelle Alozie to finish from close range with a right-footed effort.
The goal rewarded Nigeria’s sustained pressure and gave Eguavoen’s side the advantage they had been seeking.
Alozie came close to scoring again shortly afterwards, but the Comoros goalkeeper denied her a second goal as the Super Falcons continued to push forward.
Kanu doubles Nigeria’s advantage
The Super Falcons extended their lead around the hour mark through Uchenna Kanu.
Jennifer Echegini delivered a corner into the penalty area, and Kanu reacted quickest to head home from close range, putting Nigeria firmly in control of the tie.
The second goal gave the visitors breathing room after a first half in which they had struggled to turn their chances into goals.
Eguavoen subsequently introduced fresh players to manage the game and provide valuable international experience to members of the squad.
Janet Akekoromowei replaced Toni Payne in the 61st minute, making her senior international debut, while Suliat Abideen came on for Gift Monday in the 69th minute to earn her first cap. Folashade Ijamilusi later replaced Kanu in stoppage time.
Eguavoen gets winning start
The victory marked a positive beginning to Eguavoen’s tenure as interim head coach while the Nigeria Football Federation continues its search for a permanent manager.
The Super Falcons entered the qualifying series after receiving a bye into the second round as one of Africa’s highest-ranked teams.
Comoros, meanwhile, reached this stage after an emphatic 30–0 aggregate victory over Sudan in the previous round. However, they found Nigeria a much tougher opponent and struggled to contain the Super Falcons’ attacking quality.
Nigeria’s two-goal advantage puts them in a favourable position ahead of the return fixture, although they will need to maintain their concentration to secure progression.
Return leg scheduled for Tuesday
The two teams will meet again on Tuesday, 13 October, at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo for the second leg.
Nigeria will aim to complete the job and advance to the third round of the African qualifying competition, where Morocco await, according to the Nigeria Football Federation.
The African qualifying series consists of five two-legged rounds, with only two teams earning places in the women’s football tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
With Alozie and Kanu delivering the decisive goals, the Super Falcons have taken an important first step towards returning to the Olympics after competing at Paris 2024.