Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) interim General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has urged the Super Falcons to put their recent World Cup qualification disappointment behind them and focus on securing a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, expressing confidence in the team’s spirit ahead of their encounter with Comoros.
Ikpeme, who visited the Super Falcons camp to encourage the players before Friday’s Olympic qualifier, explained that his decision was influenced by the disappointment surrounding Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the criticism that followed.
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“I think the mood is okay, you know, vis-à-vis what happened, the very fact that they could not qualify for the World Cup in Brazil, and knowing what Nigerians said about them in terms of disappointment,” Ikpeme stated.
The NFF official explained that he considered it important to personally reassure the players and restore their confidence before another major qualification campaign.
“I felt I should come immediately and see them before their match, at least to talk to them, to encourage them, not just as a General Secretary, but as a father, because these are my daughters,” he said.
Ikpeme expressed satisfaction with the players’ response, describing the atmosphere within the camp as encouraging despite the disappointment of their previous campaign.
“I’m happy that I came, and I’m also happy with what I’ve seen. You know, they are experienced players. They’ve taken it the way it is,” he explained.
Nigeria face Comoros at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Friday, October 9, in the first leg of their Olympic qualifying tie, with the return fixture scheduled for October 13.
The Super Falcons are seeking one of Africa’s two available qualification places for the 2028 Olympic Games, making a strong start against Comoros particularly important.
Ikpeme believes the unity within the squad provides encouragement ahead of the encounter.
“The team spirit is very high. The camp harmony, fantastic,” he declared.
For Ikpeme, the immediate priority is helping the Super Falcons recover their confidence, put past disappointments behind them and approach the Olympic qualification campaign with renewed determination.
 interim General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has urged the Super Falcons to put their recent World Cup qualification disappointment behind them and focus on securing a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, expressing confidence in the team's spirit ahead of their encounter with Comoros.){kind=link}