THE Super Falcons will be without two key players for their final Group C match against Egypt at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) handed disciplinary suspensions to the duo.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the affected players are defender Oluwatosin Demehin and midfielder Jennifer Echegini, who will both miss the decisive encounter following disciplinary sanctions arising from Nigeria’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia on Saturday.
Demehin was shown a straight red card in the 40th minute after bringing down Zambia captain, Barbra Banda, as the striker raced through on goal, prompting CAF to impose an automatic suspension.
Echegini, meanwhile, received a yellow card during the encounter, her second booking of the tournament, triggering a mandatory one-match suspension in line with CAF’s disciplinary regulations.
The suspensions come as Nigeria seek victory against Egypt to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the competition.
The Super Falcons revived their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a determined victory over Zambia after suffering a surprise 3-2 defeat to Malawi in their opening Group C fixture.
Asisat Oshoala scored the game’s only goal in the eighth minute before Nigeria were reduced to 10 players following Demehin’s dismissal.
Despite Zambia enjoying a numerical advantage for much of the contest, the nine-time African champions produced a resilient defensive display to hold on and secure all three points.
Nigeria and Zambia are tied on three points after two matches, while Malawi lead the group with six points. Egypt are yet to register a point, leaving qualification for the knockout stage to be decided in the final round of Group C fixtures.
