Ashleigh Plumptre Returns as Eguavoen Names Super Falcons Squad for Comoros

Ashleigh Plumptre has returned to the Super Falcons squad after more than six months out with injury, while interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has included several of Nigeria's promising young internationals for next month's 2028 Olympic qualifier against Comoros.

Plumptre, who has not played for Nigeria since suffering a foot injury while playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad in March, was named in Eguavoen's 28-player squad announced on Tuesday.

The defender missed Nigeria's Women's Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Morocco because of the injury. Her return gives Eguavoen another experienced option in defence following the international retirement of Osinachi Ohale.

Several players who recently represented Nigeria at youth level have also been promoted to the senior squad.

Goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, defenders Farida Abdulwahab and Tumininu Adeshina, midfielder Favour Nkwocha and forward Janet Akekoromowei are among the new faces.

Uzoma, Adeshina, Nkwocha and Akekoromowei were part of Nigeria's squad at this month's FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland. All four featured in the 3-0 round-of-16 win over England, with Akekoromowei scoring Nigeria's second goal.

Abdulwahab was also originally selected for the tournament but missed out because of visa problems.

Uzoma, Abdulwahab, Shakirat Moshood and Akekoromowei have previously featured for Nigeria's Under-17 team. Moshood scored four goals for the Flamingos at the 2024 FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup.

Young forward Oluwakemi Adegbuyi has also been included in the squad.

Eguavoen has kept a strong experienced group, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin, Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Echegini, Toni Payne, Asisat Oshoala, Gift Monday and Uchenna Kanu all selected.

One major absentee is Esther Okoronkwo, who is out for the season with injury. The AFC Toronto forward's absence leaves the Super Falcons without another established attacking option.

Meanwhile, Ohale announced her retirement from international football last week after 16 years with Nigeria. She ended her career with 86 appearances, four World Cup appearances and five Women's Africa Cup of Nations titles.

Her retirement means Plumptre, Demehin, Alozie and Shukurat Oladipo are among the most experienced defenders in Eguavoen's first squad since he was placed in temporary charge.

The Nigeria Football Federation appointed Eguavoen earlier this month to oversee the Olympic qualifiers while the search for a permanent Super Falcons coach continues. He will work alongside Nasarawa Amazons coach Christopher Danjuma and former Super Falcons defender Asisat Yusuf, while Olatunji Baruwa will serve as goalkeeper coach.

Nigeria enter the African Olympic qualifying competition at this stage alongside South Africa and Ghana as three of the continent's highest-ranked teams.

Comoros reached this stage after beating Sudan 30-0 on aggregate in the opening round, including a 13-0 win in the second leg.

The first leg between Nigeria and Comoros is scheduled for October 9, with the return leg four days later. Both matches will be played at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne because Comoros do not have a CAF-approved venue.

Nigeria are aiming to qualify for consecutive Olympic Games after ending a 16-year absence by reaching Paris 2024. The Super Falcons secured their place in Paris by beating South Africa 1-0 on aggregate but lost all three group games against Brazil, Spain and Japan.

The qualifying tournament for Los Angeles 2028 will feature five home-and-away knockout rounds, with two African teams eventually securing Olympic places. The competition is scheduled to finish in December 2027.

Super Falcons squad for Comoros qualifier

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion); Comfort Erhabor (Portsmouth Ladies); Christiana Uzoma (Edo Queens).

Defenders: Michelle Alozie (Chicago Stars); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma); Farida Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons); Glory Ogbonna (Besiktas JK); Oluwatosin Demehin (SL Benfica); Glory Edet (Bayelsa Queens); Ashleigh Plumptre (Al-Ittihad Ladies); Tumininu Adeshina (Edo Queens).

Midfielders: Christy Ucheibe (Al-Hilal); Joy Igbokwe (Nasarawa Amazons); Favour Nkwocha (FC Robo Queens); Fatimoh Solaty (Nasarawa Amazons); Suliat Abideen (Fenerbahce Ladies); Toni Payne (Inter Milan); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain).

Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint-Germain); Asisat Oshoala (Al-Hilal); Flourish Sabastine (SL Benfica); Shakirat Moshood (SCU Torreense); Gift Monday (Washington Spirit); Joy Omewa (BK Hacken); Blessing Nkor (Dynamo Brest); Oluwakemi Adegbuyi (Edo Queens); Janet Akekoromowei (SL Benfica); Uchenna Kanu (Cruz Azul Femenil).