Defending champions Nigeria produced their most convincing performance of the tournament on Wednesday, thrashing Egypt 6-2 to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Falcons entered their final Group C fixture under pressure after a shock opening 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi and a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia. Needing a win to guarantee progression, Justine Madugu’s side delivered an attacking masterclass at the Rabat Olympic Stadium to seal qualification.
Asisat Oshoala gave Nigeria the lead from the penalty spot in the 21st minute before Gift Monday doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time after being teed up by Rinsola Babajide.
Egypt pulled one back through Nadine Ghazi’s penalty deep into added time, but Nigeria regained complete control after the restart.
Babajide claimed her second assist of the night when she set up Uchenna Kanu to make it 3-1 in the 57th minute, while Christy Ucheibe converted another penalty in the 81st minute.
Ghazi scored her second goal of the match three minutes later to briefly reduce the deficit, but Nigeria finished emphatically. Rasheedat Ajibade converted a third penalty before providing the assist for Joy Omewa, who completed the rout in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
The commanding victory capped an impressive recovery from Nigeria’s opening defeat, with successive wins over Zambia and Egypt earning the Super Falcons six points and a place in the knockout stage as they continue their pursuit of a record-extending 11th WAFCON title.
Despite Nigeria’s six-goal haul, Malawi finished top of Group C after edging Zambia 2-1 in the other final group match.
Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia all ended the group stage on six points, with Malawi claiming first place on the tiebreak criteria. Zambia were eliminated, while Egypt finished bottom without a point after losing all three matches and conceding 15 goals.
Nigeria now head into the quarter-finals with renewed momentum as they continue their quest to retain the continental crown in Morocco.
