Nigeria edge into WAFCON quarter-finals after dramatic three-way tiebreak, set up Cameroon clash

Nigeria booked a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a dramatic conclusion to Group C, with the Super Falcons advancing on the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) head-to-head tiebreak regulations.

The ten-time African champions sealed a convincing 6-2 victory over Egypt in their final group match on Wednesday, but their qualification was only confirmed after the outcome of the group's complex three-way tie involving Nigeria, Malawi and Zambia.

The Super Falcons finished level on points with Malawi and Zambia, forcing CAF's tiebreak procedures under Article 74 of the competition regulations to determine the final standings.

Rather than using overall goal difference, CAF first considered only the matches played between the three tied teams by creating a mini-league table.

Each of the three nations collected three points in their head-to-head encounters. Malawi defeated Nigeria 3-2 before losing 2-1 to Zambia, while Nigeria bounced back from their defeat to Malawi by beating Zambia 1-0. Zambia's only victory came against Malawi after their loss to Nigeria.

With all three teams tied on three points, the next criterion was head-to-head goal difference. Again, there was nothing to separate them, with each nation posting a goal difference of zero in the mini-league.

The decisive factor eventually became goals scored in the matches involving the three tied teams. Malawi finished top of the mini-table with four goals, Nigeria placed second with three goals, while Zambia ended third with two goals.

That ranking ensured Malawi and Nigeria progressed to the quarter-finals, while Zambia exited the tournament despite finishing level on points with the other two sides.

Nigeria's qualification capped an impressive recovery after suffering a disappointing opening defeat to Malawi. The Super Falcons responded with a crucial victory over Zambia before producing their best attacking display of the tournament against Egypt.

Against the North Africans, Nigeria ran riot in an entertaining encounter that ended 6-2.

Six-time CAF Women's Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala converted one of three Nigerian penalties, with Christy Ucheibe and captain Rasheedat Ajibade also scoring from the spot. Gift Monday, Uchenna Kanu and Joy Omewa added the other goals as the Super Falcons took their tally to six after leading 2-1 at the break.

Egypt twice found the net through Nadin Ghazy, including a penalty, but the Cleopatras were unable to prevent a third successive defeat, finishing bottom of Group C without a point.

Nigeria's reward for reaching the last eight is a mouth-watering quarter-final clash against long-time rivals Cameroon, as the Super Falcons continue their pursuit of another continental title.