Super Falcons had earlier lost to debutants Malawi before bouncing back with wins over Zambia and Egypt to continue their title defence bid.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigeria’s Super Falcons booked their place in the last eight of this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a resounding 6–2 win over Egypt in their final group game.
The defending champions came into the encounter knowing they needed a comprehensive win and a favourable result in the match between Malawi and Zambia to advance and keep their World Cup hopes alive.
However, they survived a rollercoaster of emotions in the eight-goal thriller, having fallen to third in the group at one point, before eventually going through alongside Zambia.
ALSO READ: WAFCON: Nigeria thrash Egypt 6–2 to reach quarter-finals
Asisat Oshoala opened the floodgates in the 21st minute via a penalty before Gift Monday doubled Nigeria’s advantage. Egypt reduced the deficit through Nadine Ghazi in first-half injury time.
Substitute Uchenna Kanu came off the bench to restore the West Africans’ two-goal cushion in the 57th minute with a tap-in, and Christy Ucheibe made it 4–1 to the Falcons in the 80th minute.
Ghazi scored her second in the 84th minute to briefly put Nigeria’s progression in jeopardy, but injury-time goals from Rasheedat Ajibade and Joy Omewa secured Coach Justine Madugu’s side’s passage to the next stage.
