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Nigeria sealed a place in the 2026 WAFCON quarter-finals after a thrilling, high-scoring victory over Egypt in Casablanca.
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Asisat Oshoala, Gift Monday, Uchenna Kanu, Christy Ucheibe, Rasheedat Ajibade and Joy Omewa all found the net as the Super Falcons delivered their most convincing performance of the tournament.
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Justin Madugu’s side bounced back from an opening defeat to Malawi to keep alive their quest for an 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title and a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
August 6, (THEWILL) — Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced their best display of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night, defeating Egypt in a thrilling encounter to secure a place in the quarter-finals after an eventful group-stage campaign.
Needing victory to guarantee qualification, the nine-time African champions rose to the occasion at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, delivering an attacking masterclass against an Egyptian side determined to finish the tournament on a positive note.
The breakthrough came in the 21st minute after the referee awarded Nigeria a penalty following a VAR review for handball. Veteran striker Asisat Oshoala stepped up confidently and converted from the spot to hand the Super Falcons the lead.
Nigeria continued to dominate possession and create chances before doubling their advantage in first-half stoppage time. Substitute Gift Monday, who had replaced the injured Oshoala just minutes earlier, reacted quickest inside the penalty area to score her first goal of the tournament and put the Super Falcons firmly in control.
However, Egypt refused to surrender. Another VAR intervention deep into first-half stoppage time resulted in a penalty after Michelle Alozie was adjudged to have fouled an Egyptian attacker. Nadine Ghazi converted from the spot to reduce the deficit and give the Pharaohs hope heading into the break.
The Super Falcons responded positively after halftime and restored their two-goal cushion in the 57th minute. Substitute Uchenna Kanu capitalised on a defensive error to slot home Nigeria’s third goal, rewarding the team’s relentless attacking pressure.
Justin Madugu’s side continued to push forward, forcing another VAR review that resulted in a second penalty for Nigeria. Christy Ucheibe made no mistake from the spot, calmly sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to extend the advantage.
Egypt again showed resilience when Ghazi grabbed her second goal of the night to pull one back, but any hopes of an unlikely comeback were quickly extinguished.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade added another from the penalty spot in stoppage time after yet another VAR decision, before substitute Joy Omewa Ogochukwu completed the rout with a composed finish moments later to cap a memorable evening for Nigeria.
The victory marked a remarkable turnaround for the Super Falcons, who had begun the tournament with a shock defeat to debutants Malawi before edging Zambia in a tense second group match. Their emphatic response against Egypt ensured they finished the group stage on a high and secured progression to the knockout rounds.
The result also underlined Nigeria’s attacking quality after questions had been raised over the team’s performances in the opening two fixtures. With six different goalscorers contributing during the decisive encounter, Madugu will be encouraged by the spread of attacking options heading into the quarter-finals.
Nigeria also maintained an impressive record against North African opposition at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with their only previous knockout defeat to a team from the region coming on penalties against hosts Morocco in the 2022 semi-finals.
Attention now turns to the quarter-finals, where the Super Falcons will continue their pursuit of an unprecedented 11th continental crown. Beyond the WAFCON title, a place in the semi-finals would also secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, giving Nigeria even greater motivation as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
