WAFCON 2026: Nigeria set up Cameroon quarter-final after six-goal win over Egypt

Nigeria’s Super Falcons reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s African Cup of Nations with a commanding 6-2 victory over Egypt in their final Group C match on Wednesday.

The result secured second place for Nigeria on six points, while Malawi finished top of the section despite being beaten 2-1 by Zambia in the group’s other game. Zambia’s defeat ended their hopes of progressing.

The Super Falcons will now meet Group D winners Cameroon in the quarter-finals on Sunday.

Asisat Oshoala, Gift Monday, Uchenna Kanu, Christy Ucheibe, Rasheedat Ajibade and Joy Omewa were all on target for the defending champions. Egypt’s goals were scored by Nadin Ghazy.

Nigeria went into the match knowing they needed a substantial victory, together with a favourable result in the Malawi-Zambia fixture, to guarantee their place in the last eight.

Mitchelle Alozie registered the first attempt of the game after 15 minutes, although her effort drifted narrowly wide. Oshoala then came close three minutes later before her shot struck an Egyptian player’s hand inside the penalty area.

The incident was reviewed by VAR and Nigeria were awarded a penalty. Oshoala kept her composure from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give the Falcons the lead in the 21st minute.

Nigeria were forced to make an early substitution when Oshoala went off injured, with Monday taking her place. Egypt goalkeeper Palmed away a low strike from Ajibade in the 42nd minute, before producing another important save moments later to keep out a Babajide effort.

The pressure eventually told in first-half stoppage time. Monday met Rinsola Babajide’s cross and stabbed the ball home to double Nigeria’s advantage.

Egypt were given a route back into the contest when Alozie was judged to have fouled an opponent in the penalty area. Ghazy converted the spot-kick in the 10th minute of added time at the end of the first half, leaving Nigeria with a 2-1 lead at the interval.

The Falcons continued to control much of the second half and Monday narrowly missed with a header in the 56th minute. A minute later, Kanu, who had only just entered the game, restored Nigeria’s two-goal cushion by finishing into an empty net after another assist from Babajide.

Ajibade then sent a dangerous delivery into the area in the 65th minute, but an Egypt defender blocked it behind for a corner.

Nigeria were awarded their second penalty of the game in the 81st minute after Kanu was fouled. Ucheibe converted to make it 4-1, although Egypt responded almost immediately when Ghazy scored her second goal three minutes later.

The Super Falcons were awarded a third penalty in the match in the first minute of added time. Ajibade stepped up and again sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 5-2.

There was still time for substitute Omewa to complete the scoring, adding Nigeria’s sixth goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

The victory gives Nigeria momentum ahead of their meeting with Cameroon, while Malawi’s results elsewhere ensure they also advance to the quarter-finals despite their loss to Zambia.