The Super Falcons of Nigeria delivered their best performance yet at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night, thrashing Egypt 6-2 at the Stade Moulay Hassan to book a mouth-watering quarter-final clash against fierce rivals Cameroon.
The defending champions produced an attacking display full of pace, precision and confidence as they overwhelmed the Egyptians to finish the group stage on a high.
Nigeria took control in the 21st minute after a Video Assistant Referee review awarded them a penalty for handball. Veteran striker Asisat Oshoala stepped up and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give the Falcons a deserved lead.
The Falcons continued to pile pressure on Egypt and doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time. Substitute Gift Monday finished off a well-worked short-corner routine involving Toni Payne and Rinsola Babajide to put Nigeria 2-0 ahead.
Egypt, however, reduced the deficit moments later to keep their hopes alive as the first half ended 2-1.
The Super Falcons came out stronger after the break and regained full control of the contest. Substitute Uchenna Kanu restored Nigeria’s two-goal cushion in the 57th minute with a composed left-footed finish after another flowing attacking move.
Nigeria’s relentless pressure forced more errors from the Egyptians, and two more penalties were awarded following VAR interventions.
Midfielder Christy Ucheibe converted the first spot-kick in the 80th minute before captain Rasheedat Ajibade confidently scored another penalty eight minutes later to stretch the lead.
The Falcons were not done yet.
Deep into stoppage time, Gift Monday combined brilliantly with Ajibade to split open the Egyptian defence before setting up Joy Omewa, who calmly slotted home for her first-ever WAFCON goal to complete an emphatic 6-2 victory.
The convincing win underlined Nigeria’s attacking quality and sent a strong warning to the remaining teams in the competition as the race for an 11th continental title gathers momentum.
With the group stage now behind them, the Super Falcons will shift their attention to a blockbuster quarter-final showdown against long-time rivals Cameroon, in what promises to be one of the biggest fixtures of the tournament.
Victory over the Indomitable Lionesses will move Nigeria a step closer to extending their dominance of African women’s football and keeping alive their dream of lifting another WAFCON trophy.
