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Nigeria super falcons have officially learned their route to the 2028 Summer Olympics women’s football tournament following the African qualifying draw held at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) headquarters in Cairo.
The reigning champions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the highest ranked team in Africa received an award goodbye to the second roundwhich means that they will not start their campaign until October 2026.
Your first obstacle? A two-legged clash against the winner of Sudan vs Comorosplanned to take place between June 1 to 9, 2026.
Key dates confirmed for Nigeria campaign
- First Round (Sudan vs Comoros): June 1 to 9, 2026
- Second Round (Nigeria enters): October 5 to 13, 2026 (two stages)
The winner of that heat will move one step closer to Olympic qualification in a grueling system that includes 35 teams in five knockout rounds.
At the end of the process, only two african nations will secure tickets to Los Angeles.
A long road with no margin for error
This qualifying format leaves little room for error despite the pedigree of the Nigerian Super Falcons.
Each round is played at home and awayand, meaning that just one poor performance could end the trip.
While Sudan or Comoros may seem favorable opponents on paper, the growing competitiveness in African women’s football ensures there are no easy games.
Other key developments across Africa
The draw also produced several high-profile first-round matchups:
- Tunisia vs Senegal
- Benin vs Mali
- Morocco vs Congo
- Cameroon vs Guinea
- Zambia vs Uganda
- Ivory Coast vs Democratic Republic of the Congo
The past Olympic fights of the Super Falcons are analyzed
The qualifiers carry added emotional weight for Nigeria.
- Omitted three consecutive Olympic Games (2012, 2016, 2020)
- Returned to the 2024 Summer Olympics but exited in the group stage
- The best result in history is still the quarterfinals at the 2004 Summer Olympics (still the best of any African women’s team)
Now, the Falcons are determined not only to qualify but also to make a deeper impact.
Preparations underway: friendly against Cape Verde
Looking ahead to the qualifiers, Nigeria will intensify its preparations with an international friendly against Cape Verde women’s national football team at the end of this month.
The match is expected to:
- Try new players
- Fine-tune tactical systems
- Strengthen team chemistry
For Nigeria, the upcoming friendlies and qualifiers have a dual purpose:
- Maintain dominance in African football
- Integrate emerging talents into the workforce
Meanwhile, Cape Verde will use the match as a benchmark to measure their progress against one of the continent’s most successful teams.
– READ MORE: “THE DIFFICULT GAME OF THEM ALL!” – England stars relive tug-of-war showdown against Super Falcons at 2023 World Cup
– READ MORE: “It’s embarrassing!” – Super Falcons stars hit CAF after WAFCON postponement
– READ MORE: The Super Falcons withdraw from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
A chance for redemption
With a mix of experienced stars and rising prospects, the Super Falcons remain one of Africa’s strongest contenders.
Therefore, the mission is:
- Navigate five knockout rounds
- Avoid costly mistakes
- Secure one of only two Olympic places
The journey to Los Angeles has begun, and while Nigeria arrives later than most, the challenge is just as intense.
Starting in October 2026, every match will become a final.
