Super Falcons crush Egypt to reach WAFCON 2026 last eight
by Ayeh Offei-Akoto · MyNewsGh.comNigeria reached the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after beating Egypt 6-2 in their final Group C match at the Rabat Olympic Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Super Falcons knew they needed to win after losing their first match to Malawi and beating Zambia 1-0 in their second game.
Nigeria gave their best attacking performance of the tournament, scoring three goals in each half to qualify with Malawi.
Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring with a penalty in the 21st minute. Gift Monday made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time after a pass from Rinsola Babajide.
Nadine Ghazi scored for Egypt from the penalty spot deep into first-half stoppage time. But Nigeria took control in the second half with goals from Uchenna Kanu, Christy Ucheibe, Rasheedat Ajibade and Joy Omewa.
Ghazi scored Egypt’s second goal in the 84th minute, but it was not enough to stop the Cleopatras from finishing the group stage without a point.
Nigeria answer the pressure with goals
Nigeria started the match knowing they had to win.
The defending champions lost 3-2 to Malawi in their first match before beating Zambia 1-0. A victory over Egypt was needed to stay in the competition.
Oshoala, who scored the winning goal against Zambia, gave Nigeria the lead again.
She scored from the penalty spot in the 21st minute to put the Super Falcons ahead.
Egypt, who had lost their first two matches, tried to fight back. But Nigeria showed their attacking strength before half-time.
In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Babajide set up Monday, who scored to make it 2-0.
Egypt got back into the game when Ghazi scored a penalty in the 10th minute of stoppage time, making it 2-1 before the break.
Kanu helps Nigeria take control
Nigeria started the second half strongly.
Babajide provided her second assist of the match in the 57th minute when Kanu scored to make it 3-1.
The goal gave Nigeria more confidence and forced Egypt to attack.
Nigeria kept pushing forward and scored again in the 81st minute when Ucheibe converted another penalty.
Three minutes later, Ghazi scored her second goal of the match after a pass from Yasmin Hassanin.
But Egypt could not complete a comeback.
Ajibade and Omewa complete the win
Nigeria scored two more goals in stoppage time.
Ajibade scored from the penalty spot in the first minute of added time to make it 5-2.
Eight minutes later, she set up Omewa, who scored Nigeria’s sixth goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
The big win helped the Super Falcons avoid an early exit from the tournament.
After losing their opening match, Justine Madugu’s team bounced back with two straight victories.
Malawi finish top as Zambia go out
Even with Nigeria’s big win, Malawi finished top of Group C after beating Zambia 2-1 in the other match.
Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia all finished with six points, but Malawi ended top of the group on the tiebreak rules.
Nigeria also reached the quarter-finals with six points, while Zambia were knocked out even though they won two of their three matches.
Egypt finished bottom of the group after losing all three matches and conceding 15 goals.
For Nigeria, the victory gives the team confidence before the knockout stage.
The Super Falcons may not be at their best yet, but they have come through a difficult group, started scoring again and kept their hopes of defending the title alive.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
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