Nigeria Keeps Quarterfinal Hopes Alive
Nigeria’s Super Falcons secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Egypt at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Wednesday, keeping their hopes of progressing in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) alive. The match was a must-win for the Super Falcons following a difficult start to their Group C campaign.
Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring for Nigeria from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after a VAR review confirmed a handball in the Egyptian box. The momentum continued for Nigeria when substitute Gift Monday, who replaced Oshoala in the 40th minute, netted a decisive goal just before halftime. Despite a late first-half penalty converted by Egypt’s Nadine Ghazi, Nigeria regained their two-goal cushion in the 57th minute through Uchenna Kanu, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to seal the 3-1 scoreline.
Group C Stakes and Scenarios
The win against Egypt was essential for Nigeria, who had previously suffered a surprising 3-2 defeat to tournament newcomers Malawi and secured a narrow 1-0 win against Zambia. With the group stage reaching its conclusion, the pressure on all four teams has intensified.
Malawi, the surprise package of the tournament, entered their match against Zambia at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat with six points, having defeated both Nigeria and Egypt. Led by standout forward Temwa Chawinga—who has contributed to four goals in the tournament—Malawi required only a draw to secure the top spot in Group C. For Zambia, the “Copper Queens” faced a must-win scenario to climb above Malawi in the standings, relying on the attacking experience of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji.
Tournament Context
The 2026 WAFCON, hosted in Morocco, has seen significant volatility in Group C. Malawi’s historic run marks their first appearance in the tournament, while powerhouse teams like Nigeria have been forced to adjust to a highly competitive field. The results of the final round of matches will determine the final bracket for the quarterfinals, with teams vying to avoid early elimination in one of the most unpredictable groups of the tournament.