The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations gets another crucial Group C fixture underway as Zambia face Egypt in a match that could have a major impact on the Super Falcons’ journey towards defending their continental crown.
While Nigeria prepare to begin their own WAFCON 2026 campaign against tournament debutants Malawi, the meeting between Zambia and Egypt presents another important storyline in a group that is expected to be highly competitive.
For the Super Falcons, the result will be worth watching closely, Nigeria, the reigning African champions, have been drawn alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi in Group C, with the top two teams guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals. A strong start will be vital for every team as the battle for qualification begins.
Zambia arrive in Morocco with growing confidence and a reputation as one of the strongest women’s football teams on the continent.
The Copper Queens have developed into a serious force in African football in recent years, qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 WAFCON.
Their progress has been driven by a talented generation of players, including Barbra Banda, who has established herself as one of the most dangerous forwards in women’s football.
Banda’s pace, strength and eye for goal make her a player Egypt will have to watch carefully. Her partnership with Racheal Kundananji has also given Zambia an attacking threat capable of troubling even the strongest defences, the Copper Queens will be looking to turn their recent progress into a deep run at WAFCON 2026.
However, Egypt will not be travelling to Morocco simply to make up the numbers, the Pharaohs return to the WAFCON finals after missing the previous edition and will be eager to make their presence felt on their return to Africa’s biggest women’s football tournament.
Egypt have shown significant growth in women’s football and will hope their return to the continental stage can mark another step forward, the match also offers Egypt an opportunity to test themselves against one of the continent’s most exciting teams.
Zambia have the experience of playing at the highest level, while Egypt will rely on their organisation, determination and desire to make an impact after their absence from the previous tournament.
For Nigeria, the fixture adds another layer of intrigue to Group C, the Super Falcons have dominated the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations historically, winning the competition 10 times. Their latest triumph came in 2024, when they came from behind to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in a dramatic final.
Nigeria’s ambition in Morocco is clear: win an 11th African title and secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but the Super Falcons will know that the road to another trophy will not be straightforward.
Zambia are among the teams capable of challenging Nigeria’s dominance, while Egypt will be looking to cause problems of their own.
The presence of Malawi adds another interesting element to the group, as tournament debutants, the Scorchers will enter the competition without the weight of history on their shoulders. They will be hoping to shock more established teams and make their first WAFCON appearance memorable.
That means every Group C match could carry significant consequences, the Super Falcons cannot afford to focus only on their own results. The outcome of the Zambia vs Egypt clash could shape the standings and influence the pressure on Nigeria in the later stages of the group.
For Zambia, victory would provide an early statement of intent and put them in a strong position to progress to the quarter-finals, for Egypt, three points could completely change the outlook of their campaign and give them confidence ahead of their remaining fixtures.
The battle is therefore about more than just three points. it is about momentum. It is about confidence, and for both teams, it is about proving they belong among the leading nations in African women’s football, with the Super Falcons waiting to begin their title defence, attention will be firmly fixed on how the group develops.
Nigeria have the history and experience, Zambia have the attacking firepower and recent progress, Egypt are hungry to make their return count, while Malawi are ready to embrace the excitement of their historic debut.
The message for the Super Falcons is simple: there will be no easy games in Group C, if Nigeria are serious about winning a record-extending 11th WAFCON title, they will need to be ready for whatever Zambia, Egypt and Malawi bring, the road to the final is long, but the Group C battle is already beginning to take shape.
