Super Falcons have qualified for the quarter-final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The team scored three penalties to defeat Egypt 6-2 at the Stade Larbi Zaouli on Wednesday, surviving a chaotic final-day drama in Group C.
Falcons were in a precarious position heading into the match due to the shocking defeat to Malawi in their opening match. Despite their 1-0 victory in their second match, Nigeria needed a massive victory over Egypt and hoped the result between Malawi and Zambia would favour them.
The nervy episode saw the Falcons fluctuate in and out of competition throughout the entire match as the result of the other group game dictated.
But importantly, the team executed the basic demand: defeat Egypt comprehensively. Asisat Oshoala put Nigeria ahead within the first few minutes from the spot before she was substituted. Gift Monday, Oshoala’s replacement, then doubled the lead deep into the first half.
Egypt pulled one back, however, after Michelle Alozie was adjudged to have elbowed an Egyptian inside the Nigerian box. Nadine Ghazi converted the spotkick just before the halftime whistle.
The Super Falcons asserted total control in the second half. Second-half substitute Uchenna Kanu struck in the 57th minute after capitalising on defensive errors, sparking a flurry of goals that saw Nigeria relentlessly tear through the Egyptian backline.
Christy Ucheibe scored Nigeria’s fourth from the spot. Then, Egypt added a second goal and compounded Nigeria’s worry shortly after. Ghazi scored her second of the match with a brilliant strike. The Falcons looked set for an early WAFCON with the result from the other group game unfavourable.
But Nigeria regained control of fate with another penalty kick converted by Rasheedat Ajibade to make it 5-2. Joy Omewa, a substitute, then added the icing on the victory with Nigeria’s sixth goal deep into added time.
The Falcons finished second in the group behind Malawi and will face the winners of Group B — which has Cameroon, Ghana and Mali — in the last eight.