AFOLABI SAHEED OLAWALE
Cup-holders, Super Falcons of Nigeria put up a sensational attacking masterclass at the Stade Moulay Hassan on Wednesday night, overpowering Egypt 6–2 to set up a heavyweight WAFCON 2026 quarter-final encounter against Cameroon.
Nigeria set the tone early in the contest, taking the lead in the 21st minute when Asisat Oshoala coolly converted a penalty following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) handball check. Substitute Gift Monday doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time, finishing off a brilliant short-corner routine involving Toni Payne and Rinsola Babajide. Egypt pulled one back shortly after to send the sides into the break at 2–1.
The 10-time champions maintained complete control after the restart, with substitute Uchenna Kanu restoring the two-goal cushion in the 57th minute with a crisp left-footed strike. Nigeria’s dominance was further rewarded through back-to-back VAR-awarded penalties, which Christy Ucheibe and captain Rasheedat Ajibade decisively dispatched in the 80th and 88th minutes respectively. The highlight of the night came deep into stoppage time when Gift Monday and Ajibade sliced through the Egyptian defense to set up Joy Omewa, who tapped home to mark her first-ever WAFCON goal and cap off an explosive six-goal performance.
The Super Falcons now turn their full focus to the knockout stages, where they will face old rivals Cameroon in the quarter-finals.