By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
With two important first-team players defender Oluwatosin Blessing Demehin and midfielder Jennifer Onyinyechi Echegini suspended and qualification for the quarter-finals of the ongoing 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) still on the line, Nigeria’s head coach Justine Madugu must now rely on the depth of his squad as the Super Falcons prepare for a must-win showdown against Egypt on Wednesday.
Both Demehin and Echegini will miss the decisive group stage encounter with the Egyptian ladies after disciplinary incidents during Nigeria’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia on Sunday have ensured that they can only watch the game from the spectators stand.
Recall Demehin’s afternoon ended early in Nigeria’s lone goal victory over Zambia after she was shown a straight red card in the 40th minute for tangling with Copper Queens erratic forward Barbra Banda judged by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to be racing through on goal during a dangerous counter-attack by Copper Queens.
Also, Echegini got herself into trouble in the second half of Nigeria’s 1-0 defeat of Zambia when the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) of France midfielder received a yellow card for a professional foul. It was her second booking of the tournament as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary rules kicked in and triggered an automatic one-match suspension for her.
Unfortunately, the double suspension has created a major challenge for Madugu, who must now reshuffle both his defence and midfield against Egypt as Nigeria chase qualification for the knockout rounds.
However, the coach must now rely on the depth of his squad as Nigeria prepares for a must-win match against Egypt on Wednesday just as he will rely on the remaining 23 players with clean bills of health out of registered 25 to prosecute the match.
No Demehin, no problem because Shukurat Oladipo has shown clearly to be the player to replace Demehin as the AS Roma defender is comfortable in the heart of defence and could partner veteran Osinachi Ohale in central defence role.
Although registered as a midfielder, Madugu could also push Christy Ucheibe deeper into defence, a tactical move that worked for Nigeria during the tensed second half against Zambia after Demehin was red-carded and Super Falcons had to protect their lead with one player fewer.
The Ballon d’Or nominee Madugu has many options on who replaces Echegini in the midfield as old war-horse Halimatu Ibrahim Ayinde could be recalled to strengthen the middle of the park alongside Ucheibe and Deborah Abiodun, which will help Nigeria to seize the midfield and create a greater defensive balance against the slicky Egyptians.
Although, Madugu could bring in Antionette (Toni) Payne at some point in the game if he wants something different as she is well suited to Echegini’s advanced midfield role. Her vision, passing and dribbling ability could help unlock the Egyptian defence expected to sit deep and to hit Nigeria on the counter.
Perhaps, the experienced gaffer may like to interchange his attacking option by bringing in fast-paced
Omorinsola Babajide, whose style would allow team captain Rasheedat Busayo Ajibade to move into a more central playmaking role on the day.
Unfortunately, with the first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Cynthia Nnadozie having rediscovered her top form in the last match, it looks impossible for the two reserved goalkeepers namely Fatima Oloko and Comfort Erhabor to get any opportunity to feature in the crucial last Group C match or subsequent matches if Nigeria progresses and Nnadozie is fit.
In all, Nigeria is in a good position to avoid the costly mistake of underestimating the potentials of The Scorchers of Malawi in the opening match of Group C when the 10-time African champions meet minors Egypt on Wednesday.
It is a match Nigeria should go all out with guns blazing, at least to score Egypt more than six goals scored by Zambia in their 6-0 loss and three they shipped in against Malawi in the 3-1 defeat on Sunday to be in a good place to wrestle the quarter-finals ticket from Malawi or Zambia on Wednesday.
This is a game Super Falcons are condemned to win and win well to avoid stories that touch the hearts of football-crazy nation, Nigeria.
No more complacency on the side of the reigning African champions as quarter-finals and 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup tickets depend on the outcome of the tricky match against the Egyptian ladies who are already down and out, and may prove stubborn to their more illustrious opponents Super Falcons on the night to prove a point.
But with her image bruised by debutants Malawi in the opening match of Group C, the West Africans will not allow thunder to strike a second time at the same place when they file out against Egypt at Olympic Stadium, Rabat on Wednesday by 9 pm.
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