The Super Falcons Kept Their Title Defence Alive With A Commanding 6-2 Victory Over Egypt
Nigeria entered the final Group C fixture needing a convincing win and favourable results elsewhere.
The defending champions delivered in emphatic fashion, while Malawi's 2-1 defeat to Zambia ensured both Nigeria and Malawi progressed to the last eight on six points, with Malawi topping the group on goal difference.
Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after a VAR review confirmed a handball inside the Egyptian penalty area.
Gift Monday doubled the lead deep into first-half stoppage time, but Egypt responded almost immediately through Nadin Ghazy's penalty after Mitchelle Alozie was ruled to have committed a foul.
Nigeria dominated after the break. Substitute Uchenna Kanu restored the two-goal cushion in the 57th minute, finishing into an empty net following excellent work by Rinsola Babajide, who provided two assists and was later named Player of the Match.
Christy Ucheibe converted Nigeria's second penalty in the 81st minute before Ghazy grabbed her second goal to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
The Super Falcons were awarded a third penalty in stoppage time, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade calmly converting to make it 5-2. Substitute Joy Omewa completed the rout in the 99th minute with Nigeria's sixth goal.
Nigeria's scorers:
Asisat Oshoala (21' pen)
Gift Monday (45+1')
Uchenna Kanu (57')
Christy Ucheibe (81' pen)
Rasheedat Ajibade (90+1' pen)
Joy Omewa (90+9')
Egypt's scorers:
Nadin Ghazy (45+10' pen, 84').
The victory sets up a quarter-final clash against Cameroon on Sunday, with a place at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup also at stake.
Despite the convincing scoreline, many supporters expressed concerns over Nigeria's defensive lapses and coaching decisions.
Fans praised Babajide's outstanding display and the impact of substitutes such as Kanu and Monday, while questioning some tactical choices, particularly the deployment of players out of their natural positions.
Nevertheless, the result keeps the Super Falcons' quest for another continental title firmly on track.
The defending champions delivered in emphatic fashion, while Malawi's 2-1 defeat to Zambia ensured both Nigeria and Malawi progressed to the last eight on six points, with Malawi topping the group on goal difference.
Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after a VAR review confirmed a handball inside the Egyptian penalty area.
Gift Monday doubled the lead deep into first-half stoppage time, but Egypt responded almost immediately through Nadin Ghazy's penalty after Mitchelle Alozie was ruled to have committed a foul.
Nigeria dominated after the break. Substitute Uchenna Kanu restored the two-goal cushion in the 57th minute, finishing into an empty net following excellent work by Rinsola Babajide, who provided two assists and was later named Player of the Match.
Christy Ucheibe converted Nigeria's second penalty in the 81st minute before Ghazy grabbed her second goal to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
The Super Falcons were awarded a third penalty in stoppage time, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade calmly converting to make it 5-2. Substitute Joy Omewa completed the rout in the 99th minute with Nigeria's sixth goal.
Nigeria's scorers:
Asisat Oshoala (21' pen)
Gift Monday (45+1')
Uchenna Kanu (57')
Christy Ucheibe (81' pen)
Rasheedat Ajibade (90+1' pen)
Joy Omewa (90+9')
Egypt's scorers:
Nadin Ghazy (45+10' pen, 84').
The victory sets up a quarter-final clash against Cameroon on Sunday, with a place at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup also at stake.
Despite the convincing scoreline, many supporters expressed concerns over Nigeria's defensive lapses and coaching decisions.
Fans praised Babajide's outstanding display and the impact of substitutes such as Kanu and Monday, while questioning some tactical choices, particularly the deployment of players out of their natural positions.
Nevertheless, the result keeps the Super Falcons' quest for another continental title firmly on track.
