The Super Falcons produced a professional performance in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final group game by thrashing Egypt 6-2 on Wednesday night to book a place in the quarter-finals at the Rabat Olympic Stadium.
Nigeria entered the final Group C match under pressure after a shock opening defeat to Malawi and a narrow victory over Zambia. However, the defending champions responded in emphatic fashion, scoring three goals in each half to seal qualification alongside Malawi.
Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute before Gift Monday doubled Nigeria’s advantage in first-half stoppage time after a fine assist from Rinsola Babajide. Nadine Ghazi reduced the deficit for Egypt with a penalty deep into added time, but the Super Falcons took complete control after the break through Uchenna Kanu, Christy Ucheibe, Rasheedat Ajibade and Joy Omewa.
Ghazi grabbed her second goal in the 84th minute, yet Egypt never looked capable of mounting a comeback and finished the group stage without a point.
Super Falcons deliver when it mattered most
The Super Falcons knew only victory would guarantee their place in the knockout stage after losing 3-2 to Malawi in their opening fixture before edging Zambia 1-0.
Nigeria settled quickly and earned a penalty midway through the first half. Oshoala stepped up and calmly converted in the 21st minute to ease the tension and hand the Super Falcons an early advantage.
Egypt struggled to contain Nigeria’s attacking movement as the first half progressed. Babajide created the second goal in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, setting up Monday to finish confidently and make it 2-0.
The Cleopatras found a lifeline before the interval when Ghazi converted a penalty in the 10th minute of added time, sending Nigeria into the break with a narrow 2-1 lead.
The Super Falcons restored their authority soon after the restart. Babajide registered her second assist of the night in the 57th minute as Kanu fired home Nigeria’s third goal to put the champions firmly back in control.
Nigeria continued to dominate possession and created several chances before earning another penalty in the 81st minute. Ucheibe made no mistake from the spot to extend the lead to 4-1.
Egypt responded three minutes later through Ghazi, who completed her brace after receiving a pass from Yasmin Hassanin to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
Any hopes of a late Egyptian comeback quickly disappeared in stoppage time. Ajibade converted Nigeria’s third penalty of the night in the first minute of added time before turning provider eight minutes later. Her precise pass found Omewa, who completed the scoring in the ninth minute of stoppage time to seal an emphatic 6-2 victory.
The result ensured the Super Falcons avoided a disappointing group-stage exit after their difficult start to the tournament. Instead, Justine Madugu’s side head into the knockout rounds with renewed confidence after recording back-to-back victories.
Elsewhere, Malawi defeated Zambia 2-1 to finish top of Group C. Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia all ended the group on six points, but Malawi secured first place on the tiebreak criteria, while Nigeria also progressed to the quarter-finals. Zambia suffered a surprise elimination despite winning two of their three matches, while Egypt finished bottom after losing all three games and conceding 15 goals.
The Super Falcons are still searching for their very best form, but this convincing victory showed their attacking quality and resilience. They have survived a challenging group stage, rediscovered their scoring touch and kept their dream of another WAFCON title alive. Their toughest tests, however, are still to come.
