PHOTO CREDIT: CAF / Punch Newspapers
WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons Crush Egypt 6-2 To Secure Quarter-Final Ticket
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have booked a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a dominant 6-2 win over Egypt in their final Group C game on Wednesday.
The defending champions went into the clash at the Rabat Olympic Stadium under pressure, having lost their opener 3-2 to debutants Malawi before grinding out a 1-0 win over Zambia with 10 players.
But Justine Madugu’s ladies responded in emphatic fashion to keep alive their dream of a record-extending 11th WAFCON title.
Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring for Nigeria from the penalty spot in the 21st minute, before Gift Monday made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time with an assist from Rinsola Babajide.
Egypt pulled one back through Nadine Ghazi’s penalty deep into first-half added time to make it 2-1 at the break.
The Super Falcons regained full control in the second half. Babajide turned provider again to set up Uchenna Kanu for the third goal in the 57th minute, before Christy Ucheibe converted another penalty in the 81st minute to make it 4-1.
Ghazi got her second for Egypt three minutes later, but Rasheedat Ajibade restored Nigeria’s three-goal lead from the penalty spot, and then set up substitute Joy Omewa who sealed the rout in the 99th minute.
The win takes Nigeria to six points from three games. Despite scoring six goals, the Falcons finished second in Group C behind Malawi, who beat Zambia 2-1 in the other group game. Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia all finished on six points, but Malawi topped the group on tiebreakers. Zambia crashed out, while Egypt finished bottom without a point, conceding 15 goals in three matches.
Nigeria will now await their quarter-final opponents as they continue their title defence in Morocco.
SOURCE: Punch Newspapers