Nigeria put on one of their most commanding performances of recent memory on Tuesday night, thrashing Egypt 6-2 in Casablanca to seal a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The result was emphatic, the performance was dominant, and the message to the rest of the continent was clear.
The Super Falcons had entered the match under pressure. A shock defeat to Malawi in their tournament opener had raised uncomfortable questions about the ten-time African champions. A narrow win over Zambia steadied the ship. But Egypt needed to be beaten, and beaten convincingly, for Nigeria to progress. The Falcons delivered far beyond that requirement.
Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after a VAR review detected a handball. Gift Monday, introduced from the bench, doubled the lead deep into first-half stoppage time with her first goal of the tournament. Egypt pulled one back through Nadine Ghazi before the break, also from the spot, to make it 2-1 at half-time.
The second half was one-way traffic. Uchenna Kanu restored the two-goal cushion in the 57th minute. Christy Ucheibe converted a third penalty in the 81st minute to make it 4-1. Ghazi scored her second to briefly offer Egypt hope at 4-2, but Nigeria immediately killed the game. Captain Rashidat Ajibade stepped up for a fourth successful penalty in the 91st minute. Joy Omewa completed the rout in the 94th minute after a sharp assist from Ajibade to seal a 6-2 final score.
Nigeria finished the match with 59 percent possession and four penalties converted. Egypt had two goals, five yellow cards among their players and coaching staff, and very little else to show.
The Super Falcons go into the quarter-finals with their form, their confidence, and their identity restored. Whatever wobbled after the Malawi defeat has been straightened out decisively.
The ten-time champions are back on track. Nobody in this tournament should take comfort from that.
