Nigeria’s Super Falcons began preparations for their 2028 Olympic Women’s Football Tournament qualifying campaign on Monday evening, with 14 players taking part in the team’s first training session ahead of Friday’s first-leg clash against Comoros.

 The two teams will meet again in the return fixture at the Remo Stars Stadium on Tuesday evening.

 The 10-time African champions returned to the Olympic Women’s Football Tournament two years ago after a 16-year absence, and the Falcons are determined to secure another appearance at the Games, scheduled for Los Angeles in 2028.

 Interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen has released Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, the Most Valuable Player of the recently concluded WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup competition in Yamoussoukro, and Favour Nkwocha, who featured for the Falconets at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, to join the Flamingos.

 The U17 women’s national team is scheduled to depart Nigeria on Wednesday for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in Morocco.

 The Falcons will also be without defender Ashley Plumptre, who has been excused due to a sprain and ligament injury. SL Benfica duo Oluwatosin Demehin and Flourish Sabastine will also miss the encounter as they remain engaged in residence permit processes.

 Five-time Africa Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala has equally been excused, prompting Eguavoen to call up Belarus-based former U20 forward Blessing Okpe as a replacement.

 Eleven more players are expected to join the camp, including defender Michelle Alozie, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, as well as captain Rasheedat Ajibade and forward Gift Monday.

Super Falcons Camp

Goalkeeper: Christiana Uzoma

Defenders: Farida Abdulwahab, Tumininu Adeshina, Valentina Uroko, Glory Edet, Shukurat Oladipo, Glory Ogbonna

Midfielders: Oluchi Omenazu, Joy Igbokwe, Fatimoh Solaty, Suliat Abideen

Forwards: Shakirat Moshood, Blessing Nkor, Sandra John

Expected in Camp

 Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Comfort Erhabor

 Defender: Michelle Alozie

 Midfielders: Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Jennifer Echegini

 Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade, Gift Monday, Joy Omewa, Janet Akekoromowei, Uchenna Kanu