Nigeria thrash Egypt 6-2 to reach Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals

Nigeria’s Super Falcons secured their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a convincing 6-2 victory over Egypt in their final Group C match in Morocco.

The defending champions needed to win to keep control of their qualification hopes and delivered a dominant attacking performance, although Egypt twice managed to reduce the deficit.

Nigeria took the lead in the 21st minute after a VAR review determined that Egypt had committed a handball inside the penalty area. Veteran forward Asisat Oshoala took responsibility from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to score her first goal of the tournament.

The Super Falcons made an attacking change before half-time, with Oshoala replaced by Gift Monday in the 40th minute.

Monday needed little time to make an impression. She doubled Nigeria’s advantage in first-half stoppage time, putting the defending champions in a strong position before the interval.

Egypt were handed a route back into the contest late in the half when Michelle Alozie was judged to have fouled an opponent inside the box. Nadine Ghazi converted the resulting penalty deep into stoppage time, leaving Nigeria 2-1 ahead at half-time.

Nigeria restored their two-goal lead in the 57th minute. Rinsola Babajide supplied the assist for substitute Uchenna Kanu, who struck a powerful left-footed finish past the Egypt goalkeeper.

A further VAR review then led to Nigeria being awarded another penalty after Kanu was fouled inside the area.

Christy Ucheibe took the spot-kick in the 80th minute and converted confidently to put the Super Falcons 4-1 ahead. Egypt responded again four minutes later, with Ghazi scoring her second goal of the match to make it 4-2.

Nigeria received a third penalty after another VAR intervention upheld the referee’s original decision. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade stepped forward and delivered a forceful finish from the spot in the 91st minute to restore the three-goal advantage.

The Super Falcons completed the scoring in the ninth minute of stoppage time, when Joy Omewa found the back of the net to seal an emphatic victory.

The result means Nigeria, the 10-time African champions, finish second in Group C behind Zambia. Zambia claimed top spot after beating Malawi 2-1, with both teams progressing to the knockout stage.

Nigeria’s six-goal display also ensured they moved into the quarter-finals with considerable attacking momentum after overcoming the challenge posed by Egypt.