WAFCON 2026: Nigeria Advance To Quarter Final Despite Turbulent Final Group Game Permutations

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria defeated Egypt 6-2 to qualify to the quarter final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup Of Nations (WAFCON) at the Olympic Stadium, Rabat, Morocco.

Despite the turbulent final group game permutations between the Super Falcons, Malawi and Zambia, Nigeria scaled through to the last eight of the continental showpiece by defeating the Egyptians in the seven goal thriller, while the Copper Queens edged the Scorchers 2-1 which was to the advantage of the Falcons.

Asisat Oshoala, Gift Monday, Uchenna Kanu, Christy Ucheibe, Rasheedat Ajibade and Joy Omewa found the back of the net in the whitewashing of the Pharaohs.

Oshoala gave the Falcons a relief in the 21 minute as she sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.

Monday was introduced for the injured Oshoala in the 39 minute and she wasted no time to convert the assist of Babajide to send Nigeria two goal up.

A foul from defender, Michelle Alozie gave Egypt a lifeline from the spot which Nadine Ghazi scored to pull her side back in the game.

Babajide turned provider for the Falcons in the 57 minute while she laid an assist on the plate for Kanu who scored the third goal and also recorded her second goal of the competition following her earlier strike against Malawi in the first game.

Defender, Ucheibe did justice for Nigeria from the spot to record her side’s fourth goal of the game following Kanu foul in the 18 yard box.

Three minutes later, Ghazi grabbed her brace for the Scorchers with a cool finish.

Ajibade also got on the score sheet in the 90 minute to grab Nigeria’s fifth goal of the encounter and also the Falcons third penalty converted in the game.

Striker, Omewa scored Nigeria’s sixth goal of the match which commemorated to her debut goal at the WAFCON.

However, Zambia defeating Malawi 2-1 couldn’t save the Copper Queens from exiting the WAFCON from the group stage.