Nigeria’s Super Falcons put any lingering doubts about their title defence to rest with a resounding 6-2 demolition of Egypt, a performance that secures their spot in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and offers a firm response to their earlier stumble in the group stage.
The ten-time African champions turned in a display built around clinical finishing and relentless pressure, opening the scoring when Asisat Oshoala converted from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time. Gift Monday extended the lead in the 55th minute, giving Nigeria a comfortable cushion heading into the closing stages. Egypt found a way back into the contest through a penalty from N. Ghazy, but any hope of a sustained comeback was short-lived, as Uchenna Kanu restored Nigeria’s two-goal advantage in the 81st minute.
Chidinma Ucheibe added further gloss to the scoreline with a converted penalty in the 84th minute, pushing Nigeria’s lead out to 4-1. Ghazy pulled one more back for Egypt in the 91st minute, briefly threatening to make the finish more competitive than the match had suggested, but Nigeria closed out the game emphatically. Rasheedat Ajibade converted a penalty deep into second-half stoppage time, and Joy Omewa capped the rout with a sixth goal to confirm the 6-2 final scoreline.
The result books Nigeria’s place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Cameroon, winners of Group D, in what shapes up as a significant test of whether this attacking display marks a genuine turning point after their surprise defeat to Malawi in the group stage. For now, though, the Super Falcons’ focus shifts fully to the knockout rounds as they continue chasing an 11th continental title.
