Heading into the final round of Group C matches, Nigeria knew qualification was in their own hands, but it was far from straightforward. The Super Falcons needed to beat Egypt while keeping one eye on the other decisive encounter between Malawi and Zambia. With all three teams capable of finishing on six points, the group was set to be decided by a mini-league involving only the head-to-head results of Nigeria, Malawi and Zambia.

Nigeria entered the final matchday in the strongest position. The Super Falcons had already scored three goals in their head-to-head matches against Malawi and Zambia, two against Malawi and one against Zambia. Malawi had also scored three goals before kickoff, while Zambia had not scored a single goal in their head-to-head games after a goalless draw against Nigeria and a defeat to Malawi. That meant Zambia needed a huge victory over Malawi to stand any chance of qualifying, while Nigeria simply needed to defeat Egypt and hope Zambia failed to score enough goals without conceding.

It was a dramatic setup, with two matches kicking off at exactly the same time and qualification hanging on every single goal.

The first breakthrough came in the Malawi versus Zambia match. After just two minutes, Barbra Banda fired Zambia into a 1-0 lead, immediately putting pressure on both Nigeria and Malawi.

Nineteen minutes later, Nigeria responded. In the 21st minute, Asisat Oshoala calmly converted a penalty to give the Super Falcons a 1-0 lead against Egypt.

Zambia struck again in the 37th minute as Prisca Chilufya doubled their advantage to make it 2-0. At that point, Zambia looked to be building the scoreline they desperately needed.

But Nigeria answered once more. In first-half stoppage time, Rinola Babajide finished brilliantly to put Nigeria 2-0 ahead.

Just before the halftime whistle, Egypt pulled one back. Nadine Ghazy converted a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time to reduce the score to 2-1.

The second half began with Nigeria refusing to take their foot off the pedal. In the 57th minute, Uchenna Kanu restored the Super Falcons' two-goal advantage, making it 3-1.

Then came the defining moment of the evening.

In the 72nd minute, Tabitha Chawinga scored for Malawi to make it 2-1 against Zambia. It looked like just a consolation goal, but in reality it completely changed the qualification picture.

That single goal meant Malawi now had four goals in the mini-league against Nigeria and Zambia. Nigeria remained on three goals, while Zambia, despite leading the match, still had only two goals because they had failed to score against Nigeria in their earlier goalless draw.

Nigeria continued their own attacking display. Christy Ucheibe converted a penalty in the 81st minute to make it 4-1.

Three minutes later, Egypt responded through Nadine Ghazy, who scored her second goal of the evening to make it 4-2.

Nigeria finished the game in style. Rasheedat Ajibade converted a penalty in the first minute of stoppage time to make it 5-2 before adding another goal later in added time to complete Nigeria's emphatic 6-2 victory in a thrilling eight-goal encounter.

When both matches ended, the calculations were finally complete.

Malawi had finished first in the mini-league with four goals scored against Nigeria and Zambia. Nigeria finished second with three goals scored in the mini-league, while Zambia, despite beating Malawi 2-1, finished third with only two head-to-head goals after failing to score against Nigeria earlier in the tournament.

It was one of the most surprising and dramatic qualification scenarios the Women's Africa Cup of Nations has ever produced.

Following her outstanding performance, Rinola Babajide was deservedly named Woman of the Match after producing a goal, an assist, relentless work rate and an outstanding display that inspired Nigeria's 6-2 victory over Egypt.

The celebrations told the story. Nigeria's players danced, sang and celebrated wildly inside the dressing room after sealing another quarter-final appearance. Malawi also celebrated a historic qualification, knowing that Tabitha Chawinga's priceless goal had secured their place among Africa's final eight.

Attention now turns to the knockout stage. Nigeria will face Cameroon in the quarter-finals, while Malawi will meet the winner of Ghana against Mali.

The stakes could not be higher. The winners of those quarter-final matches will not only book a place in the semi-finals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, but will also secure qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.

After surviving one of the most dramatic group-stage finales in recent memory, Nigeria's journey continues, with the Super Falcons now dreaming of another continental title and a place on football's biggest stage.