Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced one of the most thrilling performances of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night, hammering Egypt 6-2 in a wild, penalty-filled contest at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Rabat. The result was not just a statement of attacking intent, it was a must-win survival mission, and the ten-time African champions delivered when it mattered most to book their place in the WAFCON 2026 quarter-finals.
Super Falcons Needed A Win, And They Got One In Style
Coach Justine Madugu’s side went into the final Group C fixture under real pressure. A shock opening defeat to Malawi had left Nigeria needing a favorable result against Egypt while also relying on the outcome of the Malawi versus Zambia game to guarantee progress. The Super Falcons left nothing to chance, turning the match into an eight-goal thriller that swung the entire group standings in their favor.
Captain Asisat Oshoala broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, calmly converting a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a handball inside the Egyptian box.
Substitute Gift Monday then doubled Nigeria’s advantage deep into first-half stoppage time, finishing off a slick short-corner routine involving Toni Payne and Rinsola Babajide. Egypt hit back before the break to make it 2-1, giving the North Africans brief hope of an upset.
Nigeria Take Total Control After The Break
Whatever hope Egypt carried into halftime evaporated quickly. Substitute Uchenna Kanu restored Nigeria’s two-goal cushion in the 57th minute with a crisp left-footed finish, exploiting a defensive lapse. Moments later, Christy Ucheibe converted another VAR-awarded penalty to make it 4-1, and it appeared Nigeria was cruising toward a comfortable win.
Egypt’s Ghazi refused to fade quietly, scoring twice more, including a well-taken second in the 84th minute, to keep the scoreline respectable and briefly stir nerves among the traveling Nigerian faithful. But the Super Falcons had the final say. Rasheedat Ajibade slotted home a third Nigerian penalty deep into added time, before substitute Joy Omewa capped an unforgettable night by tapping in her first-ever WAFCON goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time to complete the 6-2 rout.
What The Result Means For Nigeria
The victory confirmed Nigeria’s progress from a chaotic Group C, where three teams finished level on six points apiece. Malawi ultimately topped the group on tiebreakers, while Zambia’s fate was sealed despite winning two of their three matches. Nigeria now advance to face Cameroon in the WAFCON 2026 quarter-finals, setting up a heavyweight continental clash between two of Africa’s most storied women’s football programs.
Speaking after the match, Oshoala credited the squad’s resilience following a difficult start to the tournament, while Madugu praised his players for delivering under pressure when qualification hung in the balance.
Looking Ahead
With momentum firmly on their side after Wednesday’s statement win, the Super Falcons will now shift focus toward the knockout stage as they chase an eleventh WAFCON title and a coveted ticket to the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Their clash with Cameroon promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the tournament’s quarter-final round.
