Egypt vs Nigeria Women WAFCON Preview
Nigeria will be looking to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations when they face Egypt in their final Group C fixture.
The 10-time champions are back in contention and will be confident of seeing off the North Africans, who are below their best in the competition.
Key Stats
- Nigeria have won five of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Egypt have lost their two Group C matches.
- Egypt have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions.
No Previous Meetings
This will be the first ever meeting between Egypt and Nigeria at this level.
Disappointing Campaign for Egypt
Egypt come into this clash off the back of a 3-1 defeat to Malawi in their previous fixture. They failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage after the Scorchers received a red card, with Eman Hassan's effort proving to be a mere consolation.
That was the second defeat for Egypt in the tournament after beginning their campaign with a 6-0 thrashing against Zambia. Both results mean the Cleopatras have now been eliminated from the tournament and are only playing for pride on Wednesday.
Egypt's poor showings at the WAFCON are not particularly surprising as their overall form has been unconvincing lately. Mohamed Kamal's team have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions.
Super Falcons Back in the Mix
Nigeria are coming off a 1-0 victory over Zambia in their previous fixture. They struck early in the first half and held on for the win despite a red card to Oluwatosin Demehin just before the break.
The result put them back on track for their WAFCON title defence after beginning their campaign with a 3-2 defeat to Malawi. A win on Wednesday could see them progress to the quarter-finals, but they must attempt to ramp up the score as goal difference may come into play.
Manager Justin Madugu will be pleased to have made a swift return to winning ways and will look to kick on from there. Their overall form has been solid lately, having won five of their last six matches in all competitions.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Egypt (4-2-3-1): Maha Shehata; Yassmin Zezo, Noura Khaled, Nada Emad, Christina Salama; Ali Mahira, Dana Nadda; Farah El Mahdy, Nadine Ghazi, Habiba Essam; Sarah Essam.
Nadda and Emad were both second-half substitutes for Egypt last time out and could earn a start on Wednesday. Essam should continue in attack while Khaled is set to feature at the back.
Nigeria (4-2-3-1): Chiamaka Nnadozie; Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Glory Ogbonna, Rofiat Imuran; Halimatu Ayinde, Deborah Abiodun; Folashade Ijamilusi, Uchenna Kanu, Rasheedat Ajibade; Asisat Oshoala.
Nigeria will be without Demehin and Jennifer Echeghini, with both women suspended for Wednesday's clash. Ogbonna and Ijamilusi are likely to be handed starts while Oshoala should lead the line once again after netting the winner last time out.