Nigeria’s Super Falcons will be without defender Oluwatosin Demehin and midfielder Jennifer Echegini for their crucial final Group C match against Egypt at the ongoing 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after both players were suspended by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The suspensions follow Nigeria’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia on Saturday, a result that revived the team’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals after an opening defeat to Malawi.
Demehin received a straight red card in the 40th minute for bringing down Zambia captain Barbra Banda as the striker raced towards goal, while Echegini picked up her second yellow card of the tournament, triggering an automatic one-match suspension under CAF’s disciplinary rules.
The absence of the two players will be a setback for head coach Justine Madugu as the nine-time African champions prepare for a must-win encounter against Egypt.
Nigeria bounced back from a surprise 3-2 defeat to Malawi in their opening Group C fixture by edging Zambia 1-0, with Asisat Oshoala scoring the decisive goal in the eighth minute.
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Despite playing with 10 women for much of the contest following Demehin’s dismissal, the Super Falcons produced a disciplined defensive display to preserve their slim lead and secure all three points.
With two rounds of matches completed, Malawi lead Group C with six points, while Nigeria and Zambia have three points each. Egypt remain without a point, leaving qualification for the knockout stage to be decided in the final round of group fixtures.
The Super Falcons will now look to overcome the absence of two key players as they seek victory over Egypt and a place in the WAFCON quarter-finals.
