Nigeria striker Asisat Oshoala has withdrawn from Nigeria’s 2028 Olympic Games qualifying double-header against Comoros after sustaining an injury in her recent club appearance in Saudi Arabia.

Oshoala, who plays for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Women’s Premier League, was initially named in Augustine Eguavoen’s 28-player squad for the crucial second-round Olympic qualifying tie.

However, the experienced forward has now been excused from the assignment after the unexplainable incident, ruling her out of both legs of the encounter scheduled for October 9 and 13.

The development comes as a blow to the Super Falcons, with Oshoala one of the most experienced attacking options in the squad and a key figure in Nigeria’s plans for the Olympic qualifying campaign.

The six-time African Women’s Player of the Year has made an impressive start to the new Saudi league season with Al-Hilal. She scored twice in the club’s 9-0 victory over Al-Ahli on September 18 before adding another brace in a 6-0 win against Al-Taraji on September 26.  

Her absence means Eguavoen will have to reshuffle his attacking options ahead of the two matches, with Belarus-based former Falconets forward Blessing Okpe called up as her replacement.  

Okpe, who has previously featured at youth international level for Nigeria, now has an opportunity to stake her claim at senior level as the Falcons begin preparations for a tie that carries significant importance for the country’s Olympic ambitions.

Oshoala’s withdrawal is one of several personnel changes affecting the squad. Ashleigh Plumptre has also been ruled out after sustaining a ligament injury, while Benfica duo Oluwatosin Demehin and Flourish Sabastine will miss the assignment because of resident-permit issues.  

Despite the setbacks, the Super Falcons began preparations in Ikenne on Monday, with 14 players taking part in the first training session under Eguavoen.

The team will face Comoros in the first leg on Friday, October 9, before the return fixture on Tuesday, October 13. Both matches will be played at the Remo Stars Sports Stadium in Ikenne-Remo because Comoros does not have a CAF-approved venue for international fixtures.  

Nigeria are seeking to progress to the third round of the African qualifying series and keep their hopes of reaching the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games alive.

With Oshoala unavailable, greater responsibility will now fall on the likes of captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Gift Monday, Uchenna Kanu, Joy Omewa, Blessing Nkor and the newly introduced Okpe to provide the attacking threat.

The Falcons will be keen to build a strong advantage in the opening leg before completing the assignment four days later, as Eguavoen begins the process of rebuilding confidence around the team following a disappointing 2026 WAFCON campaign.

Attention will now turn to Oshoala's recovery and return to full fitness, while the Super Falcons must move forward without one of their most accomplished forwards for the Comoros double-header.