Nigeria’s convincing 7-0 aggregate victory over Comoros in the 2028 Olympics qualifiers has drawn praise from renowned sports broadcaster Chief Suo Chapele, who believes the performance highlighted the remarkable depth of talent available to the Super Falcons.
Speaking to SoftFootball after Nigeria’s 5-0 second-leg victory, Chapele, widely recognised as Africa’s first female Pidgin English sports commentator, applauded the team’s composure, tactical awareness and smooth transitions throughout the match.
Reflecting on the team’s overall display, Chapele explained that the Super Falcons showed the kind of control and technical quality expected from an experienced side.
Calm, composed. I saw the transition in play. We already know that we have a quality side,”
she said.
The veteran broadcaster believes Nigeria possesses one of the strongest pools of women’s football talent on the continent, arguing that the country has enough quality players to remain competitive even if several established stars are unavailable.
Emphasising the abundance of talent in Nigerian women’s football, Chapele suggested that the country could supply several other national teams with quality players and still retain enough options to build a competitive Super Falcons squad.
Nigeria is begging for talent. We can give four, six, seven, even ten countries our female footballers and still have enough national team players left,
she stated.
One of the biggest positives for Chapele was seeing emerging and fringe players take advantage of their opportunities during the qualifiers.
She specifically highlighted the performances of Blessing Okpe, Folashade Ijamilusi, Michelle Alozie and Shukurat Oladipo, praising the quality they demonstrated against Comoros.
Explaining why the performances of these players stood out to her, Chapele noted that they showed the technical ability and confidence required to compete at international level.
“They’re showing quality, they’re showing class,”
she said.
Chapele reserved special praise for defender Shukurat Oladipo, who stepped into a defensive unit missing some experienced figures and delivered an assured performance.
Drawing attention to Oladipo’s ability to handle the responsibility, the broadcaster compared her performance with that of experienced defender Osinachi Ohale, highlighting how comfortably the youngster adapted to the demands of the role.
You see someone like Oladipo stepping into the big shoes of Ohale and she settled in really nicely,
Chapele added.
For Chapele, the greatest takeaway from the tie was the growing competition for places within the squad. She believes Nigeria’s ability to replace absent players without a significant drop in quality could prove crucial as the Super Falcons prepare to face stronger opposition in subsequent rounds.
Explaining the importance of having capable alternatives in different positions, she said the growing depth would give Nigeria more options when competing against stronger teams in major tournaments.
“That means we have variety when we step into bigger competitions,”
she explained.
The respected commentator also agreed with coach Augustine Eguavoen’s emphasis on building a larger pool of players, describing the competition for places as a positive development for the national team.
According to Chapele, having several players capable of delivering when selected gives the coaching staff greater flexibility and reduces the pressure on a handful of established stars to carry the team.
“It’s a good problem. There are enough players that you can plug in and play,”
she said.
Chapele also pointed out that having a large pool of talented players could make Nigeria less predictable for opponents.
Rather than relying solely on established stars, she believes the Super Falcons now have an expanding list of players capable of making an impact when called upon.
Highlighting the tactical advantage of having different players with varying strengths, Chapele suggested that opponents would find it more difficult to anticipate what Nigeria could offer across different matches.
“We have a plethora of players that you don’t know what they are about,”
she remarked.
That unpredictability could become a major asset as Nigeria continues its quest to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Although delighted with the emphatic victory over Comoros, Chapele stressed that the performance should serve as a foundation for more demanding challenges ahead.
With tougher opposition expected in subsequent rounds, including a potential showdown with Morocco, she believes Nigeria’s squad depth could prove decisive.
For now, the pioneering broadcaster is encouraged by what she has seen from the latest generation of Super Falcons players.
Concluding her assessment of Nigeria’s performance and the opportunities available to emerging players, Chapele expressed satisfaction with the direction of the team and the quality coming through the squad.
“I like it. It’s beautiful,”
she concluded.
Following their commanding 7-0 aggregate triumph over Comoros, the Super Falcons have received a strong endorsement from Chapele, who believes Nigeria’s strength lies not only in its starting eleven but also in the quality of players available to step up when needed. talent waiting to make its mark on the international stage.