Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced their most complete attacking performance of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, overwhelming Egypt 6-2 at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca to book a place in the quarter-finals.
The result was far from straightforward, however, as it came at the end of a dramatic final Group C matchday in which qualification swung back and forth depending on events elsewhere in Zambia’s simultaneous clash with Malawi.
Justine Madugu’s side went into the fixture knowing only a convincing win would guarantee safe passage, following an opening-day defeat to tournament debutants Malawi. Consequently, the Falcons needed to be ruthless in front of goal, and they duly delivered.
Asisat Oshoala broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, calmly converting from the penalty spot after a VAR review confirmed a handball inside the box. Nigeria then doubled their advantage deep into first-half stoppage time, as Gift Monday rose to finish off a delivery picked out by Rinsola Babajide, whose energetic play down the flank repeatedly troubled the Egyptian backline throughout the contest.
As a result, the Falcons went into the break with a 2-1 cushion after Nadine Ghazi had briefly reduced the deficit from the spot for Egypt.
The second half followed a similar pattern of Nigerian dominance punctuated by Egyptian resistance. Christy Ucheibe extended the lead from another penalty after a further VAR intervention, pushing the score to 4-1 before Ghazi struck again to keep Egypt within touching distance at 4-2. Nigeria, meanwhile, refused to let the contest slip, and two further penalty conversions in stoppage time settled matters emphatically.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade stepped up twice in the closing stages, first converting Nigeria’s third penalty of the night to make it 5-2 before turning provider deep into added time. Her pass set up Joy Omewa, who rounded off a swift counterattack in the 98th minute to complete the 6-2 rout. In addition, the win means Nigeria finished the group phase with six points, a tally that ultimately proved decisive once tie-break criteria were applied to separate three sides who ended level in Group C.
Zambia’s 2-1 victory over Malawi, played out at the same time, added further tension to Nigeria’s afternoon, since the Copper Queens’ result determined which combination of teams would advance. Nevertheless, the Falcons’ six-goal haul against Egypt gave them enough of a buffer to progress alongside Malawi, leaving Zambia eliminated despite two wins from three matches.
The performance represents a significant rebound after the shock opening defeat to Malawi threatened to derail their campaign early. Therefore, the manner of the win, built on penalty composure and slick combination play involving Babajide, Monday and Ajibade, will offer Madugu’s squad genuine belief heading into the knockout rounds.
Furthermore, the Falcons remain in pursuit of a record-extending 11th WAFCON title and a place at the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, both of which stay firmly within reach after Wednesday’s statement win.
Nigeria will now turn their attention to the quarter-final, where they are set to face Cameroon, winners of Group D. The Super Falcons will hope to carry their attacking momentum into the knockout stage, having shown in Casablanca that they can score freely when their frontline players combine effectively. Egypt, meanwhile, exit the tournament at the group stage despite Ghazi’s brace, as their WAFCON 2026 campaign comes to a close.
