Nigeria’s preparations for a crucial Group C clash against Egypt have suffered a setback. The Super Falcons will be without Jennifer Echegini and Oluwatosin Demehin after CAF handed both players suspensions following the team’s victory over Zambia.
Echegini and Demehin will miss the decisive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) match after serving disciplinary sanctions imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
CAF suspended Demehin after she received a straight red card during Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Zambia on Saturday. The defender brought down Zambia captain Barbra Banda in the 40th minute as the striker raced toward goal. 
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Echegini will also miss the match after receiving her second yellow card of the tournament. CAF rules require an automatic one-match suspension for players who accumulate two yellow cards.
The suspensions come at a critical time as Nigeria seeks a victory over Egypt to strengthen its chances of reaching the quarter-finals.
Nigeria began its campaign with a 3-2 defeat to Malawi but responded with a hard-fought win over Zambia.
Asisat Oshoala scored the only goal of the match in the eighth minute. Nigeria then played with 10 players after Demehin’s dismissal but successfully defended its lead until the final whistle.
Despite Zambia’s numerical advantage for most of the game, the nine-time African champions held on to secure all three points.
The final Group C matches will determine the teams that advance to the knockout stage. Malawi leads the group with six points, while Nigeria and Zambia have three points each. Egypt remains without a point after two matches.
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