Sports
WAFCON 2026: Nigeria hammer Egypt 6-2, seal quarter-final spot
The Super Falcons of Nigeria produced a commanding performance to defeat Egypt 6-2 on Tuesday, securing a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Needing a victory to keep their knockout-stage hopes alive after losing to Malawi and defeating Zambia in their opening two matches, the nine-time African champions delivered an impressive display at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
Nigeria took the lead in the 21st minute after a VAR review awarded a penalty for handball, which Asisat Oshoala calmly converted.
The Super Falcons doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time when substitute Gift Monday scored her first goal of the tournament with a composed finish.
Egypt reduced the deficit just before the break after Nadine Ghazi converted a penalty awarded following another VAR review, sending Nigeria into half-time with a 2-1 lead.
The Super Falcons resumed the second half with renewed intensity and extended their lead in the 57th minute as substitute Uchenna Kanu capitalised on a defensive error to make it 3-1.
Nigeria continued to dominate and earned another penalty after a VAR intervention. Christy Ucheibe confidently converted from the spot in the 81st minute to increase the advantage to 4-1.
Egypt responded three minutes later when Ghazi grabbed her second goal of the match to make it 4-2, but any hopes of a comeback were short-lived.
Nigeria was awarded a fourth penalty deep into stoppage time after another VAR review, with captain Rashidat Ajibade converting confidently in the 91st minute to make it 5-2.
Ajibade then turned provider in the 94th minute, setting up Joy Omewa, who rounded off the scoring with Nigeria’s sixth goal to complete a comprehensive 6-2 victory.
The Super Falcons finished the contest with 59 per cent possession and an outstanding attacking display that sealed qualification for the last eight of the competition.
The match also produced several bookings, with Egypt’s Essam H., Menna Tarek and Nour Abdelwahed cautioned, while Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie and Uchenna Kanu also received yellow cards. Egypt head coach Mohamed Kamal was booked late in the encounter.
The emphatic victory sends Nigeria into the WAFCON 2026 quarter-finals with renewed confidence after recovering from their opening defeat of the tournament.

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