The Nigeria women’s national football team produced a scintillating attacking display to defeat Egypt women’s national football team 6-2 and book their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Needing victory after an opening defeat to Malawi and a narrow win over Zambia, the defending champions delivered their best performance of the tournament, scoring six goals to secure qualification from Group C with renewed confidence.
Nigeria took the lead in the 21st minute after a VAR review awarded a penalty for handball, with Asisat Oshoala calmly converting from the spot.
The Super Falcons doubled their advantage deep into first-half stoppage time when Gift Monday, set up by Rinsola Babajide, finished confidently to make it 2-0.
Egypt reduced the deficit moments before the break as Nadine Ghazi converted a penalty following another VAR review, sending Nigeria into the interval with a 2-1 lead.
The Super Falcons resumed the second half with greater intensity and restored their two-goal cushion in the 57th minute when substitute Uchenna Kanu capitalised on a defensive error to score.
Nigeria continued to dominate and were awarded another penalty after a VAR review in the 78th minute. Christy Ucheibe converted three minutes later to extend the lead to 4-1.
Ghazi grabbed her second goal for Egypt in the 84th minute to make it 4-2, but Nigeria quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback.
Following yet another VAR intervention, captain Rasheedat Ajibade converted Nigeria’s third penalty of the night in the 91st minute before turning provider three minutes later, setting up Joy Omewa to complete an emphatic 6-2 victory.
The result marked a remarkable turnaround for the 10-time African champions, who had come under pressure after a surprise 3-2 defeat to Malawi in their opening group match before edging Zambia 1-0.
Nigeria finished with 59 per cent possession and produced a relentless attacking display that reaffirmed their credentials as title contenders.
The match also featured several disciplinary incidents, with Egypt’s Essam H., Menna Tarek and Nour Abdelwahed all receiving yellow cards, while Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie and Uchenna Kanu were cautioned. Egypt head coach Mohamed Kamal was also booked late in the contest.
The convincing victory sends the Super Falcons into the WAFCON quarter-finals with momentum restored as they continue their quest for a record-extending 11th continental title.
