Comoros 0-2 Super Falcons: Alozie, Echegini shine, Ajibade struggles – Player ratings

The Super Falcons began their quest for qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with a 2-0 victory over Comoros in the first leg of their second-round qualifying tie at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Friday.

Michelle Alozie opened the scoring shortly after half-time, finishing from close range in the 48th minute after Nigeria finally found a way through Comoros’ defence. Jennifer Echegini then provided the delivery for Uchenna Kanu to head home Nigeria’s second goal on the hour mark.

The result gives Nigeria a useful advantage ahead of Tuesday’s return leg, although the Falcons had to be more patient than expected before making their superiority count.

In this article, Afrik-Foot writes on the performance of the players who did the business for Nigeria on the night.

Super Falcons’ Player Ratings

Chiamaka Nnadozie – 7/10: The Brighton goalkeeper enjoyed a relatively quiet evening as Comoros struggled to create meaningful attacking opportunities.

She was rarely called into serious action but remained composed when involved, helping Nigeria preserve their clean sheet.

Michelle Alozie – 8/10: Alozie was one of Nigeria’s best performers, as she combined her defensive duties well with the attacking duties.

In the end, that saw her break the deadlock. Her well-timed movement into the box allowed her to finish from close range in the 48th minute, rewarding Nigeria’s persistence after a frustrating first half.

She was very active on the night and came in with a lot of energy on both ends of the pitch.

Glory Ogbonna – 6.5/10: Ogbonna handled her defensive responsibilities with composure and helped Nigeria maintain control against an opposition that offered little sustained attacking pressure.

She kept her distribution simple and avoided unnecessary risks, allowing the Falcons to retain possession and build attacks from the back.

Shukurat Oladipo – 7/10: Oladipo had a good performance in central defence. With Blessing Demehin unavailable and Osinachi Ohale having retired, the Super Falcons’ younger defensive options had to show composure and organisation.

The Roma defender helped keep Comoros at arm’s length and showed the confidence to manage the game without turning routine situations into problems.

Joy Igbokwe – 7/10: Igbokwe made her competitive Super Falcons debut, and she took her opportunity well. She offered width down the left and supported Nigeria’s attempts to stretch Comoros’ defensive shape.

Her contribution was important because the visitors’ compact approach demanded patience and movement from the wide areas. Igbokwe also remained responsible defensively, giving the coaching staff encouraging evidence of what she can offer in future matches.

Christy Ucheibe – 6.5/10: Ucheibe provided a stable presence in midfield, helping Nigeria maintain control without producing a particularly eye-catching display.

She did the necessary work to keep the team balanced as the more attack-minded players searched for openings.

Jennifer Echegini – 8/10: Echegini was key to Nigeria’s improved attacking performance after the break. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder linked play effectively, found pockets of space and helped the Falcons move the ball with greater purpose against a Comoros side that defended deep.

Her set-piece delivery was another major asset. Echegini supplied the cross that Uchenna Kanu converted with a header for Nigeria’s second goal, giving the Falcons breathing room after Alozie’s opener.

Toni Payne – 7/10: Payne operated between the lines, looking to connect Nigeria’s midfield with the attack and find spaces in a crowded defensive structure.

She contributed to the team’s improved attacking rhythm, although Nigeria still needed greater precision in the first half to turn their possession into goals.

Rasheedat Ajibade – 6.5/10: Ajibade’s performance was more frustrating than her status as captain and one of Nigeria’s leading attacking players would have suggested.

She threatened at times and came close to scoring when her effort struck the woodwork, but she did not consistently turn her involvement into decisive attacking contributions.

Nigeria needed greater accuracy and variety in the final third, particularly when Comoros crowded the central areas. Ajibade’s deliveries and decision-making could have been sharper, and she will want to produce a more polished display in the return leg.

Her threat was evident, but her overall performance lacked the consistency needed to place her among Nigeria’s best players on the night.

Uchenna Kanu – 7.5/10: Kanu offered movement and energy across the attacking line, combining well with Igbokwe on the left and giving Comoros’ defenders problems with her quick feet.

Her most important contribution came on the hour mark, when she attacked Echegini’s delivery and headed home Nigeria’s second goal. The finish provided a deserved reward for her work and gave the Falcons a more comfortable advantage.

Kanu’s ability to operate in wide areas while still arriving in dangerous positions inside the box made her an important part of Nigeria’s attacking effort.

Gift Monday – 6/10: Monday worked hard against a physical Comoros defence but struggled to impose herself consistently as Nigeria’s central attacking reference point.

The limited space available made it difficult for her to receive the ball cleanly and turn possession into dangerous opportunities.

She did contribute to the attacking move leading to Alozie’s opener, helping create the situation from which the defender finished. However, Monday will want to become more influential in front of goal as Nigeria prepare for the second leg.