Egypt 2-6 Nigeria: Babajide, Ajibade shine as Super Falcons seal WAFCON 2026 QF spot

There were six different goalscorers on the night for the Super Falcons of Nigeria, as they claimed a 6-2 victory over the Cleopatras of Egypt in their final group stage game of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.

Egypt 2-6 Nigeria: Babajide and Ajibade Lead Super Falcons to Success

Egypt started the game strongly, testing goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie just four minutes in with a low shot, but the Brighton shot-stopper was equal to the task, making a smart save.

​The Super Falcons soon grew into the contest, dominating possession and controlling the tempo. Their first real look at goal came through Rasheedat Ajibade, whose effort from the edge of the box flew high and wide.

​Michelle Alozie later tried her luck from outside the area, but her curling shot drifted just wide of the left post.

​The Super Falcons eventually broke the deadlock in the 21st minute from the penalty spot. They were awarded a penalty after a VAR review revealed that Egypt's Abdelwahed had blocked Asisat Oshoala's shot with her hand inside the box.

The former Barcelona star took charge of the opportunity and dispatched it with aplomb into the bottom-right corner to make it 1-0.

🇳🇬 Asisat Oshoala gives the super falcons the lead against Egypt!!! pic.twitter.com/qFCFjeBwFn

— CHINEMEREMMA ACTIVE 🦅 (@CHINEMEREMMA993) August 5, 2026

​Chances soon dried up after the 30th minute as Egypt produced a resilient defensive display.

​Unfortunately for Nigeria, in the 40th minute, Oshoala was forced off due to what seemed like an injury and was replaced by Gift Monday. Shortly after, Nigeria won a corner which was swung into the danger area.

​The initial cross was headed away, but Ajibade’s rebound shot sailed high and wide.

​The Super Falcons created two more good chances late in the half, with Ajibade and Rinsola Babajide peppering goalkeeper Habiba Sabry with shots, but the Egyptian keeper produced two brilliant saves.

​However, the Super Falcons were not to be denied, as Babajide helped orchestrate a second goal just before the break.

​Following a corner, Toni Payne laid the ball off to Babajide, who dribbled past her marker, drove into the box, and delivered a low cross. Monday met it just in front of the post, and simply poked the ball into an empty net.

🇳🇬 Gift Monday scores Nigeria's second.

Her first WAFCON goal. pic.twitter.com/A9XNe5OQSt

— CHINEMEREMMA ACTIVE 🦅 (@CHINEMEREMMA993) August 5, 2026

​The Super Falcons did not leave the first half unscathed, though. They conceded a penalty late in the half after a VAR review adjudged Alozie to have elbowed an Egyptian player. Nadine Ghazi stepped up and scored, sending Nnadozie the wrong way to make it 2-1.

​Second Half & Late Drama

​Nigeria started the second half strongly and were eventually rewarded in the 57th minute. Payne headed the ball to Monday in the final third, who skillfully laid it off to Babajide.

​Instead of going for glory herself, Babajide fired a low cross into the path of substitute Uchenna Kanu, who nudged the ball into an empty net to make it 3-1.

Uchenna Kanu scores with her first touch after coming on!!!

🇪🇬 Egypt 1-3 Nigeria 🇳🇬 #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2026 #WAFCON2026 pic.twitter.com/ypAQAARHO2

— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) August 5, 2026

​While chances slowed down thereafter, Nigeria won another penalty in the 78th minute after a VAR check ruled that Kanu had been fouled in the box. In Oshoala's absence, Christy Ucheibe stepped up to take the responsibility and calmly scored to make it 4-1.

CHRISTY MAKES IT FOUR FOR THE SUPER FALCONS 🇳🇬🦅

Egypt [1-4] Nigeria pic.twitter.com/WWbrigzM57

— KING OF GOALS (@KingOfGoals100) August 5, 2026

​However, just four minutes later, Egypt pulled one back following a swift counterattack that ended with Ghazi firing a powerful shot from inside the box past Nnadozie.

🇳🇬 FT: Egypt 2–6Nigeria.

The Super Eagles came, saw, and conquered. Four goals, three points, statement made. 🦅🔥🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/Rr5jWrf4SO

— Çäbïñ (@cabin0147) August 5, 2026

​Nigeria sealed the victory in the 88th minute when Alozie appeared to be clipped by an Egyptian defender inside the area. Although the referee was sent to the VAR monitor to reconfirm the incident, she stood by her initial decision. Ajibade took responsibility this time, striking her penalty into the bottom-left corner of the net to make it 5-2.

Rasheedat Ajibade makes it 5-2 from the spot. pic.twitter.com/hWwzFmLvpj

— Naija Bias Football Channel ⚽ (@Naija_Bias_FC) August 5, 2026

Then, by the stroke of fulltime, Ajibade turned provider, dribbling past her marker to cross the ball to substitute Joy Omewa, who just guided the ball into the net in traffic. That goal ensured that the game ended 6-2 in Nigeria's favour.

What Next For The Super Falcons?

With Nigeria's 6-2 win over Egypt, they have now qualified for the quarterfinal of the 2026 WAFCON. They made it alongside Malawi despite their 2-1 loss to Zambia.

Up next for them is a fixture against Cameroon in the quarterfinal on August 9.

They will be looking to build on this performance, work on their mistakes, and get better ahead of that tie. The team has shown some frailties in this tournament, and if they don't fix them, they might not win the competition.

A semifinal berth would be the least expected from them, as that would seal their place in the 2027 World Cup.