Group C pressure builds as Malawi challenge Egypt and Zambia meet Nigeria

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 continues on Saturday, 1 August with two matches from the second round of the group stage, as Group C takes centre stage.

Both fixtures carry significance in the race to reach the next phase of the competition. Egypt will meet Malawi in the opening game before Nigeria face Zambia later in the evening, with all four sides involved in a day that could have an important bearing on the group’s qualification picture.

Egypt v Malawi – 17:00 GMT

Egypt will take on Malawi at 17:00 GMT, with the Egyptian side looking to recover after the opening round of matches.

Their opponents, however, arrive with renewed confidence after producing a surprise result on the first day. Malawi’s performance has added further interest to a fixture that already has clear importance for both teams.

Egypt will be seeking a response as they attempt to strengthen their position in Group C. Malawi, meanwhile, will aim to build on their unexpected start and maintain their challenge for qualification.

The match will be the first of Saturday’s two Group C fixtures and will set the tone for the remainder of the day. With the competition moving into its second round of group matches, the outcome could prove significant in determining the teams’ prospects of progressing to the next stage.

Nigeria v Zambia – 20:00 GMT

The second match will see Nigeria play Zambia at 20:00 GMT.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will be looking to react when they meet Zambia’s Copper Queens in a contest that could already prove decisive for the remainder of the competition.

The fixture brings together two sides with immediate pressure to secure a positive result. Nigeria will be determined to respond, while Zambia will be seeking to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the encounter.

The result could have a major impact on the qualification race in Group C, making the evening fixture one of the key matches in Saturday’s schedule. For both the Super Falcons and the Copper Queens, the meeting represents an important opportunity to improve their position before the group stage develops further.

Saturday’s programme therefore features two matches with direct consequences for the teams involved. Egypt will face Malawi in the 17:00 GMT kick-off, followed by Nigeria against Zambia at 20:00 GMT.

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 will continue with Group C at the centre of attention, and the second day of matches already promises to bring greater clarity to the battle for qualification. Egypt and Nigeria will both be looking for improved results, while Malawi and Zambia will hope to carry their momentum into their respective fixtures.

Saturday, 1 August

– Egypt v Malawi – 17:00 GMT – Nigeria v Zambia – 20:00 GMT