By our reporter 6.8.2026
Nigeria’s Super Falcons set up a Women African Cup of Nations quarterfinal date with Cameroon Lioness after they scrapped through from group C.
The Super Falcons beat Egypt the weeping girls of the group 6-2 Wednesday night to advance, while Malawi who beat the defending champions lost to Zambia 2-1 and would be playing either Ghana or Mali in the quarterfinal. Malawi topped group C with superior goals difference after all three teams ended with six points apiece.
Ahead of Sunday’s quarterfinal coach Justin Madugu said the kind of slip that allowed the Super Falcons to be scorched by Malawi should not reoccur in the knockout stages.
“Now, we cannot afford to make the mistakes we were making at the group stage as we approach the quarterfinals. We need to put our best foot forward and tread cautiously,” Madugu said.
“It is a lesson for us to understand that African football has grown. If you make a mistake, you are punished, except you get a second chance.
Cameroon topped Group D after beating Ghana’s Black Queens and Mali and would be facing Cabo Verde in their last game.
Qualification for the Women World Cup is at stake in Sunday’s game, but according to captain Rasheedat Ajibade the Super Falcons will do “whatever they have to do to qualify for the World Cup.”
The game renews the rivalry between Nigeria and their neighbours, with the winner sealing an automatic ticket to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The Super Falcons have never lost a game to the Cameroon Lioness in the history of the tournament in 2016; they beat Cameroon 1-0 to lift the title in Yaoundé.
Super Falcons midfielder Toni Payne controls the ball.