Nigeria’s Super Falcons roared into the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a dazzling 6-2 win over Egypt in their final Group C match on Wednesday.
The defending champions needed a big result after a shock opening loss to Malawi and a hard-fought victory over Zambia. The win sends Nigeria into the knockouts chasing a record-extending 11th WAFCON title.
At the Rabat Olympic Stadium, the Falcons served up an attacking masterclass. Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute. Gift Monday made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time after a neat set-up from Rinsola Babajide, but Egypt pulled one back through Nadine Ghazi’s penalty deep into added time to make it 2-1 at the break.
Nigeria took control after the interval. Babajide provided her second assist for Uchenna Kanu’s 57th-minute strike. Christy Ucheibe converted a penalty in the 81st minute. Although Ghazi grabbed her second for Egypt three minutes later, Rasheedat Ajibade restored Nigeria’s three-goal cushion from the penalty spot in first-half added time before setting up Joy Omewa, who completed the scoring in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
The victory completed a fine turnaround for Justine Madugu’s side, who had revived their campaign with a 1-0 win over Zambia despite playing much of that game with 10 players. Nigeria finished the group stage on six points after successive wins over Zambia and Egypt.
Despite the six-goal win, Malawi topped Group C after beating Zambia 2-1. Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia all finished on six points—Malawi claimed first place on tiebreaks while Zambia were eliminated. Egypt left the group without a point, conceding 15 goals.
The Super Falcons now wait to learn their quarter-final opponents as they press on in Morocco.
