The eleventh day of the 2026 Women's African Cup of Nations saw the final games of Group C contested in what has been a competitive group that certainly has not been short of surprises.
Three teams were still in contention for a place in the final eight of the tournament in the final round of group games. Malawi sat at the top of the group on six points, having won both their encounters so far, including that shock victory against reigning champions Nigeria.
But Zambia, sitting on three points, would be looking to spoil Malawi's party as they faced off in a game crucial if Nora Hauptle's team wanted to make the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Nigeria were on the hunt for a crucial win against Egypt. Three points were needed for the reigning champions to avoid an early exit from the tournament.
Here is all the action from day 11 of the tournament:
Zambia defeat Malawi to tighten final eight race
Group leaders Malawi failed to make it three wins in three, falling to a defeat against Zambia, who went level on points with their opposition following this result.
Barbra Banda got her name on the scoresheet in this one, two minutes into the match, with the help of a sizeable mistake from the goalkeeper. What initially looked like a cross caught Mercy Sikelo completely off guard: her touch of the ball was not strong enough to keep the ball from crossing the line.
Whilst possession was rather even between the two sides in the opening 45 minutes, Malawi were struggling to pose much of a threat to their opposition, failing to hit the target in the first half.
Zambia, on the other hand, were clinical as they doubled their advantage in the 37th minute via a goal from Prisca Chilufya. The 27-year-old was the fastest to react in the box, hitting a low effort that nestled nicely into the bottom corner. Malawi had a mountain to climb now.
Malawi's display in the second half was certainly better, despite having less possession than they enjoyed in the first half.
Having looked much more threatening in the attacking third throughout the half, the trailing team eventually got their reward for doing so as Tabitha Chawinga struck once more in this competition to give her nation hope of a comeback.
A powerful effort hit towards the near post flew into the back of the net as Malawi now had just under twenty minutes to find an equaliser if they wanted to maintain their unbeaten record.
Ultimately, they were unable to do this, as Zambia held out for a vital victory that saw them back in contention for a place in the knockout rounds. But was this enough, as Nigeria still had their part to play in the battle?
Nigeria cruise past Egypt into the final eight
A key characteristic of champions is that they will turn up when they need to, and that is exactly what reigning champions Nigeria did against Egypt, defeating the team at the foot of the group 6-2; enough to see the Super Falcons make it to the knockout stages.
Nigeria would land the first blow of this contest 20 minutes into proceedings from the penalty spot. It was Asisat Oshoala who stepped up to take the spot-kick and dispatched it nicely, sending the keeper the wrong way in the process.
Their advantage was doubled two minutes into added time in the opening half as Gift Monday was left with a tap-in to put her nation in a much more commanding position.
But this lead would be halved on the stroke of the half-time whistle as Egypt were awarded a penalty. Nadine Ghazi made no mistake in her finish and handed her side a lifeline heading into the break.
It did not take Nigeria long after the restart to regain their two-goal advantage, striking just before the hour mark. A perfectly squared ball to Uchenna Kanu left her with a simple finish into a practically empty net.
The Super Falcons would continue to pile the misery upon their opposition, adding a fourth goal in the 81st minute once again from a penalty.
Ghazi would hit back for Egypt once again, but she would not be able to rescue her nation in this one, as Nigeria would yet again find the back of the net from the penalty spot.
But they were not done there, as a sixth was added in injury time as Joy Omewa capped off a superb display for the Super Falcons, who had rescued their tournament in ninety minutes.
