Nigeria booked their place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a commanding 6-2 victory over Egypt in their final Group C match at the Rabat Olympic Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Super Falcons went into the match knowing they could not afford another slip after their shock opening defeat by Malawi and narrow win over Zambia.
They responded with their most ruthless attacking performance of the tournament, scoring three times in each half to secure qualification alongside Malawi.
Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute before Gift Monday doubled Nigeria’s lead in first-half stoppage time after being set up by Rinsola Babajide.
Nadine Ghazi pulled one back for Egypt with a penalty deep into first-half added time, but Nigeria took control after the break through Uchenna Kanu, Christy Ucheibe, Rasheedat Ajibade and Joy Omewa.
Ghazi scored Egypt’s second in the 84th minute, but it was not enough to stop the Cleopatras from ending the group stage without a point.
Nigeria answer pressure with goals
Nigeria began the final group match under unusual pressure.
The defending champions had lost 3-2 to Malawi in their opener before recovering with a 1-0 win over Zambia, meaning victory over Egypt was essential to protect their place in the competition.
Oshoala, who had scored the winner against Zambia, again gave Nigeria the breakthrough.
The forward converted from the penalty spot in the 21st minute to settle the Super Falcons and put them on course for the result they needed.
Egypt, who had lost their first two matches, tried to stay in the contest, but Nigeria’s attacking quality began to show before half-time.
In the second minute of first-half added time, Babajide created the opening for Monday, who finished to make it 2-0.
Egypt were handed a route back into the match when Ghazi scored from the penalty spot in the 10th minute of stoppage time, reducing the deficit to 2-1 at the break.
Kanu restores control
Nigeria wasted little time reasserting their authority after the restart.
Babajide was again involved in the 57th minute, providing her second assist of the match for Kanu, who made it 3-1.
That goal gave Nigeria breathing space and forced Egypt to chase the game.
The Super Falcons continued to push forward and found a fourth in the 81st minute when Ucheibe converted another penalty.
Egypt responded three minutes later when Ghazi scored her second goal of the night, this time after being assisted by Yasmin Hassanin.
But any hope of a late Egyptian recovery quickly disappeared.
Ajibade and Omewa finish the job
Nigeria added further gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time.
Ajibade scored from the penalty spot in the first minute of added time to make it 5-2, before turning provider eight minutes later.
Her pass set up Omewa, who scored Nigeria’s sixth goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
It was a powerful finish to a match that Nigeria had to win, and it ensured the Super Falcons avoided the embarrassment of a group-stage exit.
After starting the tournament with a damaging defeat, Justine Madugu’s side have now responded with back-to-back victories.
Malawi top group as Zambia crash out
Despite Nigeria’s emphatic win, Malawi finished top of Group C after their 2-1 victory over Zambia in the other match played simultaneously.
Malawi ended with six points, the same total as Nigeria and Zambia, but topped the group on the tiebreak criteria.
Nigeria also progressed with six points, while Zambia were eliminated despite winning two of their three matches.
Egypt finished bottom after three defeats, having conceded 15 goals across the group stage.
For Nigeria, the result restores belief before the knockout rounds.
The Super Falcons are not yet at their smoothest, but they have survived a difficult group, rediscovered their scoring touch and kept their title defence alive.
The real test now begins.
