Nigeria will be without two key players for their final Group C match against Egypt at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football imposed suspensions.
Defender Oluwatosin Demehin and midfielder Jennifer Echegini are both ruled out of the fixture following disciplinary action from the Super Falcons’ 1-0 victory over Zambia on Saturday.
Demehin was sent off with a straight red card in the 40th minute for fouling Zambia captain Barbra Banda as the striker broke clear on goal. Echegini picked up a yellow card that was her second of the tournament, triggering an automatic one-match ban under CAF rules.
The suspensions leave coach Randy Waldrum’s side short-handed as they seek a win over Egypt to strengthen their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
Nigeria revived their title defence with the hard-fought result against Zambia after an opening 3-2 loss to Malawi. Asisat Oshoala scored the only goal in the eighth minute, and the nine-time champions held on with 10 players for most of the contest.
Both Nigeria and Zambia sit on three points from two matches. Malawi lead Group C with six points while Egypt remain pointless, meaning the final round of fixtures will decide who advances to the knockout stage.
