Eguavoen wants Falcons focus on LA 2028 gold

Super Falcons interim coach Augustine Eguavoen

Super Falcons interim coach Augustine Eguavoen says Nigeria have put their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations disappointment behind them and are targeting Olympic gold as they prepare for their third-round qualifying tie against Morocco, The PUNCH reports.

Eguavoen spoke after the 10-time African champions thrashed Comoros 5-0 in Tuesday’s second leg in Ikenne to advance with a 7-0 aggregate victory.

“At the first meeting we had, we collectively agreed that we put the WAFCON disappointment behind us and set our eyes on the gold medal in the Olympics,” Eguavoen said.

The coach acknowledged that the Falcons would face tougher opposition as the qualifying campaign progressed but expressed confidence in the quality of players available to Nigeria.

“Going forward, we expect to meet tougher oppositions, no doubt about that. Super Falcons are number one in Africa. We have the quality, we have the personnel, we have the support,” he added.

Eguavoen also praised his players for their response in Ikenne, saying their efforts in training had translated into an impressive performance on the pitch.

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“I am very, very happy. Congratulations to the girls. They made my day,” he said.

However, the victory was overshadowed by an injury to captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who was forced off in the first half following a collision.

Eguavoen said the forward was being taken to hospital for an MRI scan to determine the extent of the injury, adding that the medical team would provide an update when more information became available.

“Unfortunately, we lost Ajibade early in the game, but I think and I hope and I pray that the injury is very minute,” he said.

The coach also praised Blessing Okpe, who came on at half-time and made an immediate impact. A late addition to the squad, Okpe set up Toni Payne’s second goal and won the penalty converted by Christy Ucheibe. Eguavoen said the forward had justified her call-up after he was alerted to her goalscoring form in the Belarusian league.

Nigeria had won the first leg 2-0, with Payne opening the scoring in the return fixture before Uchenna Kanu struck twice after the break. Payne added her second and Ucheibe converted from the spot to complete the 5-0 win and set up a third-round meeting with Morocco.