WAFCON: How Nigeria beat Egypt 6-2 to book quarter-finals ticket 

By Harry Awurumibe, Editor-in-Chief

It was a night of high drama as the reigning African champions Nigeria hammered hapless Egypt 6-2 at Olympic Stadium Rabat on Wednesday to qualify for the quarter-finals stage of the 14th edition of Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON)in Morocco.

Nigeria needed a favourable result in the encounter and went for it, knowing that the outcome of other Group C match between Malawi and Zambia would matter at the end of both matches.

Despite the uncoordinated display by the Super Falcons, they put their noses in front after Nigeria was awarded a penalty following a handball offence committed by the Egyptian player in the box.

Former African Footballer of the Year Award Winner Asisat Lamina Oshoala stepped forward to score the spot kick in the 21′ just as Gift Monday who replaced injured Oshoala made it two goals up for the West Africans in the 45’+2′.

Other scorers for Nigeria on the night were super-sub Uchenna Grace Kanu 57′; Christy Ucheibe 81′ (penalty); Rasheedat Ajibade 90’+1′ (penalty) and Joy Ogochukwu Omewa 90’+9′.

But Egypt managed to score two goals, thanks to Nadin Yasser Ghazy with a penalty in the 45′ and another strike late on in the 84′ to bring the final scoreline to 6-2 which was enough to carry Nigeria over the line to pick a quarter-finals ticket at the expense of Zambia.

Although the Copper Queens defeated Malawi 2-1, the result was not adequate to earn them the quarter-finals spot as they crashed despite securing the same six points as Malawi and Nigeria at the end of the three Group C matches.

Speaking after the tensed match, Oshoala praised the team’s response after a difficult start to the tournament, saying: “We knew what was at stake. We stayed together, fought for each other and got the result we needed.”

Also, speaking to journalists coach Justine Madugu hailed his players’ character, saying: “The players showed great determination. We knew we had to win and they delivered under pressure.”

Nigeria will face Cameroon, the winners of Group D, in the quarter-finals. The match is scheduled for August 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM local time.